Thomas Francis Frederick Hanley

The family of Thomas F.F. Hanley is saddened to announce his passing after a 5 year struggle with cancer.

Tom is survived by his children Madelaine and Kieran; his partner Danielle and her children Julian, Kyle and Zachary; and his mother Carol Ann Hanley, brother Tyler, sister Chantelle, brother-in-law Geoff, nephew Thomas, and Laurie, mother of Madelaine and Kieran. He was predeceased by his father Thomas Francis Hanley.

Tom’s children are his “two thirds of everything,” as he would say. Family, Soccer, dogs, and cats were pretty close to rounding out the other third of his life’s passions.

Born in Saint John and raised in Fredericton NB, Tom excelled in all sports, particularly hockey, basketball and soccer. Soccer became his lifelong sport and he played on teams wherever he lived. He attained personal medals and respected his fellow team members, trophies were many.

Tom was easy to like with a big smile that drew people to him who didn’t seem to fit elsewhere. Tom was the embodiment of unconditional family—someone who chose to show up, guide, and care simply because that’s who he was. He is described as a renaissance man; an introvert who explored how humans fit into the universe, and a thinker with an ever-active curious mind, a private man who was also very competitive, and who could be the life of the party, especially when dancing. He helped to bring out the best in us with his mischievous grin, crazy hair that turned into a wonderful hat collection, and adventurous style that loved to try new things and figure out how they work.

He never judged or measured relationships by outcomes or expectations. Instead, he showed what real friendship looks like: loyalty without conditions, presence without obligation, and love given freely. He felt honoured to be chosen by his peers as 1985 Valedictorian of Fredericton High School.

Tom first studied Business at University of New Brunswick. In 1994 Tom travelled to the west coast where he became an active student at the Victoria Motion Picture School. Few at home knew Tom was a writer of poems, short stories and screenplays. At film school, he became very skilled with lights, sound, and staging. Tom’s personality quickly became known.

After graduation, Tom worked with Shavick Entertainment in set design, a Canadian film and television production company, Like others who knew Tom, they felt his authenticity toward people was one of his most valuable attributes. The company primarily produced television films, most notably the Donald Strachey mystery series, theatrical films, and a number of television series, including The New Addams Family, Los Luchadores, Young Blades and Breaker High. Tom worked on all these shows and there is no question his heart centered communication skills could field any complications so everyone felt special.

He also worked on The Disney movies “The Ice Princess” and “The Santa Clause”. Tom was the head writer on the film “Mu Sa Do”, later retitled “Las Vegas Warrior”. He worked as camera crew on “Finder's Fee”. Other films he worked on include “Killer Bees” and “Wildfire 7: The Inferno”. Tom’s career carried forward into the AudioVisual world at major Hotels and noted companies on both west and east coasts.

The family extends their gratitude to the cancer research teams, giving us 5 more years with Tom as he participated in at least 4 research clinical trials to help others fight cancer in the future. The palliative care teams at the Victoria General Hospital in Halifax, are appreciated for their care of all of us in his final month.

At Tom’s request, there will be no funeral at this time. A Celebration of Life for family and friends will be held on 11 July 2026, at the Hanley Haven Family Camp, Young’s Cove, Grand Lake, NB with a Water Ceremony and the planting of Tom’s Remembrance Tree.

Condolences send to:

C. A. Hanley

12 Sprucewood Drive, New Maryland, NB, E3C 1C7

Email: [email protected]

Donations to:

Cancer Research at Dalhousie Medical School

BHCRI, The Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute:

Website: https://share.google/h8bEJh6zdwelF6l1o

OR Charity of the donors choosing.