With loving memories, we announce the passing of an extraordinary man. On the morning of May 12, 2020, Robert (Bob) Hanley passed away peacefully at the Perley-Rideau Veterans' Center in Ottawa. He was only two months short of his 100th birthday. Bob was born and raised on a farm near Harris, Saskatchewan, son of Alex and Ada Hanley, and middle child of seven children. Schooled by conditions on a farm in the 1930s, and by the loving generosity of clan and community, Bob's legacy was shaped during childhood and adolescence by the severity of the times, including the Great Depression. When WWII summoned young men and women to military service, Bob and his older brother, Alex (Sandy), signed up. Bob was 20 years old when he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force as an aircraft mechanic on July 24, 1940. The memories he shared of his service in England and on the Continent rarely included the ravages and terror of war, much less the devastating scenes of liberating the concentration camp at Bergen-Belsen. Rather, he lauded the enduring friendships, the comradery, the moment he happened to meet Winston Churchill at a make-shift airfield, the natural beauty of foreign lands and their people, and especially his love of maintaining the legendary fighter aircraft, the Spitfire. Sadly, his brother, Sandy, was killed at the battle of Monte Cassino in 1944. Thankfully for us, Bob returned home at the end of the War, having participated in the triumphant liberation of Holland by the Canadian military. After the war in 1945, Bob left the service, married Loretta (Gordon), and started a family. He built his own homes in Alberta, and worked with aircraft and transit companies in Calgary and Edmonton, all while honing his skills as a true "master-craftsman" of his personal and professional life. In 1953, Bob rejoined the Air Force and left Alberta. He served at bases in Trenton, Ottawa, Bagotville, and Camp Borden until his military retirement as a Major in 1969. He then worked in the federal Treasury Board in Ottawa before finally retiring in 1977. Bob was especially at peace when working on his favourite hobby and craft, which was to buy and rebuild airplane wrecks. Never did the family have a car in the garage, just another plane he was rebuilding for resale or family adventures, such as logging over 200,000 miles in his Cessna 182 across Canada, the U.S., and Bahamas. He was a true fixer and builder: whether of camper trailers and friendships, or of old sports cars and searing commentaries about current affairs - always caring about the details of each. Toward the end of his career in the military, Bob endured a deep personal tragedy, becoming a widower with five children after the death of his wife in 1966. It was a blessing when, four years later, he found love again, and spent his remaining years with his beloved wife of nearly 50 years, Therese (Terri), nee Bourdeau. Bob and Terri were an emblem of tenderness and commitment. Inseparable, coupled in the truest sense, they spent the majority of their life together in an adventure of love that always made others feel welcome and treasured. Finally, and perhaps more impressive than his resume, were Bob's "eulogy virtues." He had laughing eyes and playful energy; he was decent and generous towards young and old; he could truly listen and affirm others; he engaged in political "activism" through on-going newspaper submissions and letters-to-the-editor; and he had the rare capacity to remain authentic and solid as the world changed all around him over nearly a century of his life. Bob thoroughly enjoyed the whole living experience and was always active. During his long retirement, he delighted in golf, curling, travelling, dinners, and many, many happy hours. Like the majestic and powerful Spitfires that he loved to watch take flight, Bob Hanley has left an enduring image of how to live with purpose, strength, and service towards others. Bob was predeceased by all his brothers and sisters, his first wife Loretta, son Philip, and stepdaughter Peggy King. He is survived by five great-grandchildren (Caliana, Everett, Ava, Ella and Mira); 10 grandchildren (Anne, Alysha, Fr. Michael, Andrea, John, Laura, Claire, Stephen, Carlotta and Filippo); children Mary Lynn (Bob) Cihak, Linda King, John (Lynda), Cathy (David) Harvey, and David (Mariangela); and his beloved second wife Terri. In lieu of flowers and other gifts, please consider giving to the Perley-Rideau Veterans' Foundation. Thank you, Bob, for the gift of your long, joy-filled life - our inheritance that is you.
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