Obituary of Glen Nelson Hancock

HANCOCK, Dr. Glen N. - passed away December 4, 2011 at the Valley Regional Hospital following a series of strokes. He will be sorely missed. He was born in Wolfville, N.S. December 27, 1919, son of Gertrude (Millet) and Clarence Hancock and would have turned 92 this month. Glen was, first and foremost, a writer. He was being published (under a pseudonym) even before graduating from Wolfville High School. As a young man he wrote fiction for Western and Mystery magazines. He wrote for the Halifax Chronicle and the Montreal Standard. During the Second World War he joined the RCAF and served overseas for both the RAF and the RCAF from 1940-1945, discharging at the rank of Squadron Leader. After the war, Glen was able to complete his education attending Acadia University, the University of Toronto and the University of Edinburgh. He was an editorial and feature story writer for the London Free Press and wrote a column on cultural arts which were syndicated in 35 newspapers. He then became a Public Relations advisor for Imperial Oil Limited representing them in the western region, in the Northwest Territories and in the Atlantic Canada. All the while, he continued to write for magazines and newspapers. In 1962 he took leave from Imperial Oil to found the School of Journalism at the University of Kings College and was its Dean until 1965. Glen was involved in a myriad of community and international interests, so much so that at one point he had the dubious honor of being the past president of the past presidents club. Because of his great contributions to the Maritimes he was awarded a Doctorate of Civil Law by the University of Kings College. Just a few of his endeavors include: Director of the Nova Scotia Boy Scouts Association; National President of the John Howard Society; Canadian Delegate to the United Nations Congress on the prevention of crime in Geneva; Founding President of the Atlantic Public Relations Society. Glen traveled the world over, particularly the Commonwealth countries and China and he wrote about his travels. In his retirement years Glen made his home in Wolfville, continued to write newspaper columns which were syndicated throughout the Atlantic Provinces and wrote two memoirs- - Real Name is Charley쳌 and - Charley Goes To War쳌. In the 1980?¢s he lectured in Creative Writing at both Acadia University and Mount Saint Vincent University. He was a valued teacher and mentor to many writers over the right up to the time of his death. Glen has been involved with the Randell House Museum and was a long term member of the Wolfville Historical Society. He is, of course, well known for his wonderful garden and the famous Annual Garden Party (32 of them) where he enjoyed bringing together and eclectic mix of people, young and old. Glen was predeceased by his wife Reta, his brothers, Doug, Chet and Ron. Most recently by his beloved dog, Rusty passed away. He is survived by his brother Gerald, his daughters Johanna and Beau, his grandchildren Samantha and Joshua and his great grandson James. There will be a memorial service to celebrate his life at the Wolfville Baptist Church, Tuesday January 17, 2012 at 2pm. Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of the Serenity Lindsay Funeral Home, 568 Main St., Wolfville, N.S., B4P 1E5, (1-877-542-4656). Condolences may be sent to the family at the funeral home address or on-line by visiting: www.serenitylindsayfuneralhome.ca