Frederick C. Hany

Frederick C. Hany, 95, of Port Orange, Florida, and formerly of Catawba Island, passed away April 11, 2024. He was born in upstate New York on July 14, 1928, the only child of John & Lucy R. (Herzig) Hany.

Graduating high school at age 16, Fred headed to college, where he formed a 16-piece jazz band. He devoted too much time and attention to his band that his first college experience didn’t work out well for either the college or Fred.

He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War and participated in USO shows while in Korea. Fred relates that during one show, the war stopped, a momentary ceasefire as the enemy too, listened to the show. He could see the Chinese campfires but there was no shooting. A well-played trombone can be a formidable weapon!

After returning from his stint in the Army, Fred graduated from Syracuse University (Magna Cum Laude), attended the General Electric School of Management, and began his career in heavy industry, first at GE, then at Foster Wheeler Boilermakers, Dansville, NY, Williams Shoe Co., Portsmouth, OH, and Kelsey-Hayes, Brighton, MI./Fremont, OH. He retired from working in the hospital administration department of Firelands Regional Medical Center, Sandusky, OH.

A lover of music, and an accomplished musician (playing trombone, baritone and most anything!) Fred joined church choirs and community bands, and formed several jazz bands. For performances, he always said, “Get the first note and the last note right, people will forget everything in the middle.”

Fred was always active in his community as a former Rotarian, founding member and Deacon of Firelands Presbyterian Church, where he sang in the choir. He enjoyed fellowship, be it at church, a neighborhood cocktail party, or campaigning door to door. To this day, his observations and advice still ring true, “10% of your professional time is spent applying your education, training, and experience. The other 90% is spent developing relationships with people.”

On December 26, 1949, Fred married the former Shirley L. Virkler, and she preceded him in death on May 13, 1988, after over 38 years of marriage. Fred and Mardith E. “Mardi” (Jacobson) Siedel married on June 3, 1989, and they enjoyed nearly 35 years together, spending their time at Catawba Island and Port Orange, Florida.

Fred is survived by his wife, Mardith E. Hany, sons, Jeffrey V. (Kim) Hany, Webster Groves, MO, Frederick C. “Fritz” (Susan) Hany II, Oak Harbor, OH; granddaughters, Ally (Don) Hany-Albrecht, Joan L. (Mike Barwig) Hany, and Elizabeth B. “Mookie” Hany; great-grandchildren, Bowen E., and John Frederick; step-sons, Brad (Denise) Ray, Strongsville, OH; Brian (Kim) Ray, North Olmsted, OH, Matthew (Nandita) Ray, Decatur, GA, and Justin Ray, North Olmsted, OH; step-grandchildren, Melissa (Jason) Steadley, Jeff, Zachary, Taylor (deceased), Lucy, Samuel, and Maddox Ray; sister-in-law, Diane Schultz.

Private family graveside services were held at Catawba Island Cemetery, Port Clinton, OH. Memorial contributions may be made to the Earl E. Warnke Memorial Concert/Musical Art Series, 2626 E. Harbor Road, Port Clinton, OH 43452. Neidecker, Crosser & Priesman Funeral Home & Cremation Service assisted the family with arrangements and online condolences may be shared at www.neideckercrosserpriesman.com.