Amherst, James Wolcott Hanner passed away quietly at his home on Thursday February 8, just shy of his 83^rd birthday. He was born in Rochester, N.Y. on March 7, 1935, the son of James Z. and Ruth Teasdale Hanner.

He had a lifelong interest in history, in part because of his postwar experiences living in Germany with his mother and father, who was a wartime Chaplain in the armed forces stationed in Europe. He was in England for the country’s end of war celebration in 1946. He returned to this country twice during college as a Winant Volunteer. While in Germany in 1946, as an 11 year old, he attended a session of the Nuremberg Trials, which left a lasting impression on him.

He graduated from Brown University in 1958, and pursued a career in Education. He was always interested In astronomy, which led him to meet his wife at the Maria Mitchell Observatory on Nantucket Island. Although she is the professional astronomer, he was the one who always knew how to find the stars and planets in the night sky.

He and his wife retired from Arcadia, CA, to Amherst in 2003. He was an ardent Red Sox fan, and moved back to New England just in time to witness their 2004 World Series win. Once in Amherst, they realized that their roots here run deep. Both Jim’s and his wife’s direct ancestors were part of the group of settlers from Dorchester who founded the first settlement on the Connecticut River at Windsor in 1636. In Amherst, Jim enjoyed singing in the Valley Light Opera and the Hampshire Choral Society.

He will be remembered for his optimism and his sense of humor.

He leaves behind his wife of 52 ½ years, Martha Safford Hanner, his daughter Cindy Hanner of Arcadia, CA, and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Drs.  Berdi Safford and John Hruby of Ferndale, WA.

Calling hours will be held Monday, February 19, from 2 – 4 pm at the Douglass Funeral Home in Amherst.

Donations may be made in his name to the Hampshire Choral Society or a charity of your choice.