Memorial golf tourney raises $15,000 for BHS
FRANKLIN TWP — A negative attitude was never one of John Hanna's attributes.
The Connoquenessing Township resident was one of the most popular golfers in the Lake Arthur Tuesday Men's Golf League because of that fact.
He lived three years after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer as a result of that fact.
“He was a healthy man right to the very end,” his widow, Rosie Hanna, said. “He was a strong man while fighting a wicked disease.
“He served as a cheerleader for others fighting cancer, no matter what kind it was. John made sure they kept their spirits up while he kept his own up.
“He was just a pleasure to be around,” she added.
John Hanna was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2016. He died in July 2019.
An avid golfer, Hanna won eight championships jackets in league play.“He belonged to so many different leagues. Golf was such a big part of his adult life,” Rosie Hanna said.So, golfers decided to honor that life.The first Living the Dream Golf Tournament — in Hanna's memory — took place May 22 at Lake Arthur Golf Course. Proceeds were donated to the Butler Health System Cancer Support Services.“'Living the dream' was always John's big saying. It's the way he lived his life,” Rosie said.The tournament was supposed to take place last year, “but the COVID pandemic took care of that,” she added.While the tournament had to wait another year, memories of Hanna's life did not fade with time.If anything, they grew stronger.Rick McKivigan, president of the Lake Arthur men's league, served as the Living the Dream tournament director. He's run a number of tournaments over the years.“This was the first one I've done that sold out in a matter of days,” McKivigan said. “I mean, it filled up just like that. Usually, I'm scrambling on the day of a tournament to fill out the field. That wasn't the case here.“John was a very popular man. He was in the Lake Arthur league for nearly 40 years, and he knew everybody.”The 18-hole scramble featured 112 golfers at an entry fee of $100 each. Non-golfers could attend the post-tournament dinner in Hanna's honor for $25 each.A silent auction was held as well, featuring Hanna's new golf bag and set of clubs.“I bought him that bag and set of clubs for Christmas of 2018,” Rosie said. “Since he passed the following year, he rarely had a chance to use them.”The golf bag and clubs wound up in the possession of one of Hannah's nephews.“It was fitting they stayed in the family and helped raise money for the battle against cancer, because John battled that disease so hard,” Rosie said.The golfer fees, silent auction, dinner and money collected from 42 tee box signs raised more than $15,000 for the BHS Cancer Support Services.“A special man, a special day,” McKivigan said. “That was a beautiful tribute to a great man.”Rosie agreed.“John was such a social person and a very generous man,” she said. “It was a gorgeous day, and seeing so many people enjoying the golf course, then sitting around at dinner, telling stories and sharing memories of John was the perfect way to celebrate his life.”The Living the Dream Tournament is scheduled to return May 21, 2022.
