[From the Ontario District's newsletter, The Trillium, issue 59-01, January - March, 2005 , Waldo Redekop, editor.]

Ted Hanna
1914—2005

By Graham Fagan

Constantine T . Hanna (“ Ted ” to everyone ) passed away February 05, 2005. Ted was a 60-year Society member and would have celebrated his 91st birthday on March 9 .

Ted was instrumental in the formation of the Montreal Chapter, which in turn begot  St . Lambert Chapter, Lakeshore Chapter, Rosemere Chapter, Trois Rivieres Chapter, Plattsburgh N.Y. Chapter, and Kentville, N.S. Chapter. The Kentville Chapter led to the formation of a whole Atlantic Division in NorthEastern District.

Ted was a great friend of Bob Godfrey and transposed many of Bob’s musical thoughts to sheet music. Many of you know that Bob (at one time a member of the Montreal Chapter) could neither read nor write music and he would sing his thoughts to Ted who would transcribe them on paper.

Ted was one of those many Barbershoppers who, although they may not be known far and wide, made this Society successful. I first met Ted as a member of the Montreal Chapter, about 40 years ago. Even though he had perfect pitch (which I don’t), he suffered me coaching his quartet and gazed quizzically as I suggested he might try making an “sss” sound more like a “z” and other “tricks “ as he called them.

We have remained in touch to this day, either directly or through his family (his one and only love and sweet wife Margaret and his son Mark , and there are others that I have not met).

Ted— Rest in Peace, the world is a better place because of you! I’m sure the harmonies will continue in your afterlife!

Ted Hanna

By Clarke Edward (with files from Ross Sutherland)

Ted Hanna spent his last ten years in Markham, singing with both the Markham Men of Harmony and the Suburbanaires. He was also active in a number of quartets with men like Ross Sutherland, Tom Cole-Fitzpatrick, Willy Watt, Lloyd Allen and Weldon Clark. His quartets won gold and silver in the senior class at novice contests.

His stories of the Society in its early years and his meetings with O.C. Cash linked our barbershop experience into a wider picture.   

Ted was more than just another bass. He was a musician with class —  always challenging sections to stay on pitch. We’ve lost a great singer, arranger, coach, raconteur — and friend.        k