A great inspiration, and positive guiding light for so many people, Irv Hanec passed away early in the morning of August 15, 2017 with his family by his side.
Words truly cannot express how incredible this man was. He was an amazing husband to Cec, celebrating 48 years together. Best Dad ever, teaching Jon and Kyla how to do absolutely everything and do it well. And an amazing Grandpa to Sara, his “favourite little munchkin” who brightened up everything in his life.
“Burly” was an avid reader, loved to travel (Italy and Mexico being his favourites), spending time at the cabin, compiling his 500 hit-list of music, wine making and playing bridge.
Irv was a teacher and mentor to thousands of students over five decades, many of whom remained very close friends to this day. He was one of the greatest coaches in the history of Manitoba who spent over 46 years teaching and educating his kids to be better people in sport.
He was a member of the Luxton Royals and Tatra soccer clubs and was well-known in the basketball community as a player, longtime coach, official and administrator.
He started as a player at St. John’s High School, played four years with the University of Manitoba Bisons and graduated with a Bachelor of Physical Education degree.
A very heartfelt tribute is posted by Basketball Manitoba. http://www.basketballmanitoba.ca/2017/08/in-memory-of-irv-hanec.html
Irv’s dedication to kids, basketball, his amazing sense of humour and famous laugh will be sorely missed. In his honour, new basketball mesh/nets were hung on the hoops at the Luxton School outdoor court, a special place for Irv and his friends where many memories were made.
He is survived by his mother Mary, wife Cec (Cooper), children, Jon and Kyla (Rob), granddaughter Sara, brother Harvey (Janis) and many more members of his extensive family. He was predeceased by his father Harry.
A celebration of Irv’s life will be held on Wednesday August 23, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the Caboto Centre, 1055 Wilkes Ave., Winnipeg.
To honour the life of Irv Hanec, gifts in his name can be made to the Irv Hanec Legacy Fund at the Winnipeg Foundation, 1350-One Lombard Place, Winnipeg, MB R3B0X3 (204) 944-9474 https://wpgfdn.mycharitytools.com/?pageId=d_fund&fundId=675
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Elvis Bruneau
To a great teacher and coach so sorry to hear of his passing. Condolences to the Hanec family.
Jaime Honke
So sorry for your loss. Mr. Hence was an amazing teacher, he had taught me as well my niece and nephew.
Karen Kyliuk
So sorry to hear, he coached my boys and always showed such passion. Prayers for you during this difficult time , love from the Kyliuk family
Marlene Beaudet
Cec, to you and your family, our deepest sympathies. Thinking of you.
Gerald and Marlene Beaudet
Colin Mark
A wonderful human being. Compassionate and filled with passion. An honour and pleasure to have known Irv. Condolences to his family and friends. Take care.
Colin Mark
Gord Puttaert
To Cec and family,
We are very sorry to hear of Irv’s passing . He has touched a lot of lives in a most positive way through his teaching and coaching over the years. Our deepest condolences.
Gord and Linda Puttaert
Narv Mulchand
1. “You couldn’t dunk a donut”
2. “Cream Puff”
3. “I broke my nose three times. You think I was always this cute?”
Just a few of Coach’s lines we would hear at practice. Forever missed. Never forgotten.
Pat Flaws
It is so difficult to lose your spouse. Thinking of you, Cec, and your Family.
Cal & Doreen Botterill
An amazing legacy is left… Irv was an effervescent catalyst in Frank Kennedy’s hand-picked initial years of Physical Education at the University of Manitoba. His love of basketball & sense of humour was part of his soul. The early years of Physical Education will miss Irv’s ever present smile & energy.
Condolences to Cec & family in their time of loss. Irv’s spirit will live on. Sincerely, Cal & Doreen Botterill
Brian Thompson
It was always a pleasure officiating his teams due to the great compassion and sportsmanship
he demonstrated while coaching. One of our
Luxton friends who will be missed:
Dennis McGavock
I came to know Irv through his long association with basketball as a coach and referee. He
worked hard at and succeeded in making this world a better place through his love and dedication to family, friends and sport. As I type these few words, I can still see his wide smile and hear his very unique laugh. Irv was a committed, compassionate, loving person who led by example!!! His legacy lives on through his family and the countless number of students who had the good fortune to have him as a teacher and coach. Condolences to the Hanec Family and to the many, many people who will miss Irv so much.
Dennis McGavock
Maureen and Fran
Irv was one of the great physical education teachers and coaches that I have had the pleasure to work with and learn from. His contribution to student athletes was tremendous and you could physically feel the love and respect they had for him when they saw him at school and on the competition field. He told lots of stories but one of the funniest stories I heard from Irv was when he was a referee in basketball. A coach didn’t like one of his calls and came out onto the floor to complain. Irv didn’t bat an eye and told the coach he would get a technical foul for every step he took on the court to get off the court and back to the bench. Even Irv had to control himself watching the coach leaping back to his seat.
To Cec and your family, Fran and I send our sincere condolences on his passing. We will never forget him, nor his unforgettable laugh. He will be missed!
Bill Moody
My sincere condolences to Irv’s family and many friends. His distinct laugh will always remain a part of his memory. I really enjoyed being around Irv whether it be playing,coaching or officiating. RIP
Dennis Doris Daniel Dekleva
Our son Daniel had Irv as a coach for both his JV basketball seasons. Danny considers him the best coach he has had in his basketball career. A really great man and human being! Our sincere condolences to Hanec family. We’re certain that all your memories of him will warm your hearts forever!
The Dekleva Family
Michelle Senkow Snare
Inspiring gentleman. I fondly remember the advice he gave at b-ball practice. “Don’t say you’re sorry. Just don’t do it again.” His patience with new players was infinite. He gave praise or a kick in the butt in equal measure and you know which one you deserved. I’m very sorry to hear of his passing. I wish your whole family moments of peace at this difficult time.
Theresa Lorteau
I will never forget how many important lessons Mr. Hanec taught me. High School was a great time especially when It was gym class or scorekeeping / helping out wherever I could.
Not many teachers and coaches would go the length that Irv did. I wouldn’t be the person I am if it wasn’t for his quick thinking and support during my last year of high school. My fondest memory was a few years after I graduated, I went back and watched one of the basketball games and he was quite surprised to see me.
We sat down and talked about life and he told me he was retiring and I was happy but very sad that no more students will have the opportunity to experience being taught or coached by Irv. I told him that’s why I’m here and I gave him a thank you / happy retirement card. He looked at me smiled and said thanks he got up and walked away.That was the Best feeling in the world. Thank you to Cec, Jon and Kayla for sharing Irv with us. His legacy will live on in the hearts that he touched.
Phil Bury
Cec and family know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Fond memories of Irv and his amazing basket ball skills, his laugh and ever present smile.
Phil, Sadie and Greg Bury
Judy Down
Cec and Family
I am thinking of all of you and the terrible loss of Irv. I remember being a bridesmaid at your wedding, Cec, so long ago. This was a marriage meant to last!
I remember good times at Falcon and your home in Winnipeg – and Irv’s wine! Great to visit you both regularly over the years.
What great memories of a very special person.
Barb Romaniw
My most heartfelt condolences to all of you. I had the pleasure of knowing him at St Johns High School during my high school days. He was great with all the kids and everyone felt so comfortable around him. He is one of those teachers/coaches that will never be forgotten.
Juergen (Jay) Werner
My thoughts and prayers are with Cec and family on the passing of Irv Hanec, who was such a great support to many in many ways. I was truly blessed that I had the opportunity to work with him at St. John’s High School. I refereed basketball with him and he taught and modeled the job of refereeing so well. When I coached basketball or volleyball he always answered my questions so clearly and succinctly when I needed to know how to run a certain offense or defense. Also as a physed dept. head he encouraged us in running a high school golf program. He was always supportive in developing this game of golf with our St. John’s students. Loved his sense of humor. Suck it up buttercup, do some exercise with those pipes of yours were some of his snappy comments he was known for. His laugh was a classic known by everybody. He was truly a fantastic example as a coach to so many teachers who coached under his leadership. He will never be forgotten for what he did for me and many others.
Michael Boss
I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Hanec’s departure. I have many fond memories of him as a Phys. Ed. teacher at Elmwood High. He was certainly one of the coolest teachers I ever had. Great sense of humour, tough but very fair. He expected the best from his students. I have always held him in highest esteem. My condolences to all of you. May God bless and comfort you.
Chuck Desjarlais and Family
I am heartbroken and sadden to hear of my coach’s passing. He was a coach, a friend and a mentor to a lot of the kids growing up in the north end. I was lucky enough to be close to coach and had many one on one discussions on athletics and on life which I will cherish for the rest of mine.
My deepest condolences to the Cec, Jon, Kyla and faimly.
With sadness
Chuck Desjarlais and Family
Linda and Dave Lalande
Our very deepest sympathy to you Cec and your family. We had the honour of knowing Irv and his wonderful sense of humour and most importantly his warm and sensitive soul. Irv and Cec are an inspirational pair who have contributed very significantly to our lives. I will never forget how nurturing and caring you both are and what a loving and fun partnership you had. Irv had a soft gentle soul that allowed you to just talk and he was one of the most compassionate man that I have ever met.
Irv loved you Cec with all his heart and his family. When he talked about his granddaughter his face just lit up and he always had a new story about her. Who would have known that when we saw you in Mexico that would be our last dinner together.
He was a truly honourable man who will be greatly missed by all who had an opportunity to know Irv. We will truly miss you Irv and all our love and strength to you Cec and your family. Love Linda and Dave Lalande
Jim Rosche
I was saddened to hear of Irv’s passing . He was a friend, a valued colleague, and a man I admired and respected very much. I would like to express my deepest condolences to his wife and family.
Irv and I first became friends during a St. John’s retreat to Bud Ulrich’s cottage. We spent several hours sitting by the wood stove, talking about football and reminiscing about games we had seen and players we admired. Although we taught very different disciplines – him Phys Ed and me Theater – we found that we did have interests in common and over our years at St, John’s, had many staff room discussions. Over the years Irv was someone I came to trust with honest advice when it came to school related concerns and problems. I always appreciated and valued his input.
The last time I saw Irv was at the Refit center. I was walking laps on the track while his bad ankles had limited him to working out on the rowing machine. As I walked by, I heard that loud, gravelly voice admonishing me for walking so slow. This of course was followed by that thundering laugh that could be heard two streets away. That’s the Irv I will always remember. In spite of what must have been considerable pain, I never once heard him complain. Instead, there was always that tremendous sense of humor and ever present laugh. Irv was a man who knew how to embrace life.
A part of me feels that the world is somewhat diminished by Irv’s passing. But then I realize that he isn’t really gone because his legacy will be kept alive in the lives of all of those people that he has touched. I consider myself fortunate to have been one of them.
Jason Suzick
My wife and I offer our sincere condolences. Mr.Hanec was a big part of our lives and success at St.John high school. I personally will miss him as he helped me stay on the right path until I graduated. He pushed me to come back and finish school, even though I was a pain in the butt. So I will be forever grateful.
Jason and Jennifer Suzick- Class of 97
Karl Loewen
Jon and Kyla,
We send our deepest condolences to you and your families on the loss of your father.
Your dad was a rockstar in everything he did. May the memories you have of your dad remind you of how great an impact your dad had on so many people, myself included.
You and your families are in our prayers.
Karl Loewen
Bastrop, Texas
Jennifer Radomsky
Our hearts go out to the entire Hanec family as they grieve such a great loss. We know Mr. Hanec’s son Jon, & how much he loves & looks up to his Dad. Jon, we are so sorry for your loss & we hope there’s some comfort in knowing you have lots of support in friends & loved ones around you. Sending hugs, Jenn & Chad Radomsky and family ❤️
Dani McKinnon
Hey Jonny, I just saw this sad news and I am very sorry for you and your family. We all know how much of an influence your dad was on you and so many others. Thinking of you. Dani
Bill March. P.E. Class of 71.
Cel and family,
So very sorry for your loss. Appreciated the brief time I worked with Irv at St John’s High. He was always great to be around. Thinking of you.
Darrell Mazur
My heartfelt condolences to the Hanec family. Mr. Hanec was my Phys Ed teacher at Elmwood Jr. High in the late 1960’s, early 70’s. He nurtured a naughty rebellious punk through grades 7-9, and taught me how to play basketball. In Grade .10-11 he stayed with our basketball group, and instilled the notion that basketball should be played to fast break as much as possible.
Later, in Grade 11 and 12 he was the only one I would let tape my ankles for football games. During this time he would answer my questions, about the future University career I would embark on.
After Grade 12 he got me into the University summer University Basketball league, where I scored the winning basket in the championship game, playing with all the U of M men’s Canadian Basketball championship players, and others.
Throughout all that Time he would give me that “stare,” whenever I was making a poor choice, or saying the wrong smart Alec remark! (Somehow, tolerating me!)
He helped me set goals and expectations and supported the University direction I would eventually take..
At the time my parents were in the process of divorcing. Mr. Hanec provided the guidance of a father like the one who was leaving and that I didn’t have.
Needless to say Mr. Hanec was an inspiration and role model. I am saddened to learn of his passing at such a young age. He was such a great guy!