Albert Hanson

December 2008 

MY DAD - ALBERT EDWARD HANSON 

(by Roger Worthington Thorpe Hanson)(Uncle Roger)

Time moves on swiftly whether we want it to or not! Just recently I realized that my Dad had passed away 40 years ago. I vividly remember that last night (November 29, 1968) going to the N.E. Deaconess Hospital in Boston with my mother and sisters apprehensive about what the future might be for the "Hanson Clan". 

Just a few days previous, he had kidney stones removed - apparently he had been in great pain. Afterwards, I met his surgeon in the hospital lobby who explained exactly what he had done. He even drew me a diagram (which I kept for many years) . 

He made it sound so simple. Dad seemed to be doing all right so I returned to my new job in Washington, D.C. Then, a few days later Polly called and suggested that I should return to Boston. Dad was not doing well. 

Dad was always there for me when I needed him - so I should be there for him. He always seemed to be in good spirits and enjoyed being with other people. Singing in glee clubs was a great joy to him and an opportunity to meet other people. Unbeknown to me at the time, Miss Nichols, my third grade teacher, was in the church choir that my Dad had formed. One day she went around her classroom listening to individual voices. Apparently, she was not impressed with mine since I never received any offers to sing in a choir. Fortunately, my sisters are much more gifted in this area. - My Dad never said a word to me about this. 

Late in his career, he became a salesman and sold business engineering to small and medium sized firms in New England. With his way-with-peopler he was quite successful at it. He often had an interesting tale to tell about his clients. 

Although I was familiar with the "Salesman­Dad," I never knew much about his youth - it seemed as if he didn't want to talk about it. Oh, we all knew he was born in London, England, and came to Canada as a boy to be on a farm outside Toronto. But that was about it. 

Recently, I came across some draft employee records for R.G. Dunn in his handwriting that I want to share with you. Based mainly on these, I have developed a "time-line" of some of his activities which are new to me and may be of interest to you. Unfortunately, there are a few inconsistencies - I don't know why. I have used an "educated-guess" in some cases. In addition, some English friends, Alan and Pat Hunt, were kind enough to get Dad's official birth certificate and a picture of where he was born, a rather nice­looking row house in Upper Tooting. Coincidentally, Pat grew up in this area and they lived nearby for a while. 

I don't have any evidence as to where Dad actually landed in North America, but it is felt that Canada would be most likely. 

Your thoughts, questions and remarks are welcome.