Donald E. Hanna, 93

 

OBIT HannaDonald E. Hanna passed away from a series of maladies that affect the aged, including, and most importantly, the sadness that overcomes surviving a spouse. He was 93.

Don was born on June 29, 1920, in Middle Granville, the son and youngest child of Royal and Minnie Hanna. He was, of course, doted on by his older siblings and grew up as a mischievous youth in the bucolic setting that was Middle Granville in the 1920s and 30s. He was a Granville resident most of his life, graduating from Granville Central School District in 1939. He played football and basketball for the Golden Horde and was a member of the Championship hoops squad of 1938. After high school he drifted around a bit, working for Remington Arms in Hartford, Conn., and even toying with the idea of becoming a tree surgeon while working for the Federal Conservation Department.

Then came World War II. While many of his Army compatriots were assigned to the European and Asian theatres of war, Don was sent to Southern California with the 602nd Artillery Division in order to defend the homeland from a Japanese attack that never materialized. It’s not exactly what he wished for, but an important duty nevertheless.

Don married Elsie Ross in 1951 and spent almost 62 happy years with her until her passing in April of this year. Don called her his “sweetheart” every day and really wanted to join her for eternity. He finally got his wish.

Don worked at many different trades after the war, eventually settling at Decora in Fort Edward. He worked there for 26 years as a machine operator and was a proud member of the United Paper Workers union for his entire tenure, retiring in 1982.

Don was a sport fan extraordinaire with a particular fondness for the Boston Red Sox. He played a lot of golf after his retirement, mostly with his old High School (and lifetime) friend, R. O. Jones, and his buddy Alex “Ty Cobb” Tarasovich. He didn’t care too much about his score, but he loved being outside and the camaraderie of the golf course. Both “Bub” and “Ty” visited often in the last few years and were always there for Don and Elsie.

Don was the beloved husband of Elsie (Ross) Hanna. He is survived by his son and daughter in law, Ross and Deborah Hanna, of East Greenbush. The last of his generation, his five siblings, Marietta Hanna, Ernest Hanne, Luella Gleason, Raymond Hanna and Wilma Hanna, passed on before him. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Harriet Hanna, of Florida, Elsie’s sisters, Bess Constantino and Babe (Jack) Ross, and brothers Ben and Ray Ross, and many nieces and nephews and their progeny.

The care delivered by Home Health Aides Leone Barlow, Malissa Mendez-Perez, Ann Schinski, Carrie McCullen and others has to be seen to be believed. The selfless sacrifices these ladies made for a (what starts out to be) perfect strangers is both amazing and gratifying. Next door neighbor Bob Hughes was there whenever needed and certainly went far and beyond what the term “neighbor” means. It’s good to be in a small town when there are people like these folks around.

In lieu of flowers the family encourages donations be made in Don’s memory to the Granville Rescue Squad, PO Box 153, Granville, NY

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29, at the Robert M King Funeral Home, 23 Church St., Granville, NY. Burial will follow at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28,  at the funeral home.