Cable pioneer and founder and former chairman of Gans Multimedia Partnership Joseph S. Gans Jr., 85, died July 31, according to a report in his hometown newspaper, the Hazleton, Pa., Standard Speaker.
Gans started his cable career in 1950, helping to design and build one of the first cable systems in Pennsylvania. He later started several cable companies and was the founder of the Pennsylvania Cable Television Network and Gans Multimedia. Gans Multimedia was sold to Harron Communications in 2005.
Gans was inducted into the Cable Hall of Fame at the Cable Center in Denver in 2002 and the Cable Pioneers in 2006. He has served as president of the Society of Cable Television Engineers, a director and board member of the NCTA, museum director and co-founder of Cable Labs and chairman of th e National Independent Operators Board.
He has also served on the board of several charitable organizations, including the Helping Hands Society.
Gans is survived by his wife of 65 years, Irene; a son, Joseph S. Gans III, a daughter Janice Moisey, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. His brother Ted Gans, sister Lorraine Halko and several nieces and nephews also survive him.
Funeral services are scheduled to be held Saturday, Aug. 4, at 9:30 a.m. at the Frank Bonin Funeral Home in Hazleton, followed by a Mass at St. John Bosco Roman Catholic Church in Conygham. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery, Drums, Pa.
