Harry William Sankey

peacefully on January 26, 2015 in Edmonds, Washington. He was the third of three sons of Harry Ward Sankey (d. 1954) and Leola (Lola) Jane Lanphere Sankey (d. 1966). His older brothers, James Arthur and Melvin Robert, also predecease him.

Harry leaves behind a great many family members and friends who loved and admired him for his kindness, generosity, intellect and humor. With his first wife, Ann Marie (Humes) Sankey, Harry was father to Beth Koll�'© (Jack), Kathy Sankey and Bob Sankey. He and Ann remained good friends over the years. With his second wife, Jacqueline Laura (Denson Hanna) Sankey, Harry was an excellent step-father to her three sons: Jeff Hanna, Mark Hanna and Dave Hanna. Jackie predeceased Harry in 2007.

Harry loved and doted on his seven grandchildren: Lily and Reijer Koll�'©, Monica Sankey, Caroline Hanna, Lindsay Hanna, and Jeff and Mark Hanna.

Harry was always proud of his years growing up in Montana and often told stories of those days. The family moved to Seattle when he was 12. He graduated from Franklin HS (1948) where he was captain of the track team and president of Boys' Club. He then entered the University of Washington in the NROTC program, joining the SAE fraternity and working as busboy at the Olympic Hotel. After graduating in business, Harry joined the US Navy as a supply officer. He rose through the ranks, eventually reaching Captain in the Reserves. After resigning his commission, he earned his Masters Degree in Marketing at the UW in 1960.

Harry worked in the mortgage industry for years, running his own company and then partnering with John Fairchild to form Phoenix Mortgage. For many years, he played tenor saxophone with his old swing band from high school, The Kings of Swing, which was reunited in 1988 and still performs around the Pacific Northwest. An avid golfer, bridge-player, reader, sports fan and world traveler, Harry valued his family and friends and showed his love without reservation. One of the world's truly great storytellers, a loving and caring man, a true friend and wonderful father and grandfather, Harry's memory is cherished by all who knew him.