Malcolm Alan Hanson passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, after a life marked by creativity, wit, and quiet conviction. Born in Bradford, Yorkshire, England, Malcolm grew up in the village of Pudsey, where his early love of art, music, and nature began to flourish.
He attended Ackworth School, a co-educational Quaker boarding school near Pontefract, where values of equality and inclusion shaped his worldview. Malcolm was quite athletic and he was an incredible runner, placing second in the county’s famed Badsworth cross country run in a dramatic photo finish. He later studied architecture at Leeds University and graduated from the Leeds College of Art, launching a lifelong devotion to artistic expression.
During the Second World War, Malcolm was recruited into the Royal Marines and posted in Gillingworth, Kent. One memorable evening, he was invited to sit in with the legendary big band of Ted Heath—a highlight for a born entertainer.
Malcolm played piano, sang, and for a time played trumpet. His quick wit, love of puns and rhymes, and magnetic personality made him the life of every party.
On July 3, 1952, Malcolm married Sheila Margaret Whiteley in a wedding that marked the beginning of a devoted partnership. In the winter of 1957, he emigrated to Canada, followed a few months later by Sheila and their young son John. He began work at Ontario Hydro, where he remained until his retirement. Over the course of his career, Malcolm oversaw the “Live Better Electrically” campaign, designed the iconic Ontario Hydro logo, and served as the corporation’s public relations face.
Malcolm was a perfectionist and a workaholic, putting in long days starting with an early commute from Oakville to Toronto and often returning late with yet more work to do. However, he always made time for his passions and family. A founding member of the Little Gallery in Oakville, he studied under renowned Canadian artist Tom Chatfield, adopting Group of Seven palette knife techniques in his landscape paintings. He was also an avid photographer and a gifted jazz pianist, having played with talented musicians including Diz Disley, Al Cooper, and Ray Whittham.
Malcolm and Sheila were avid gardeners, creating lush English-style gardens at their homes in Oakville, as well as on Wolfe Island and Mallorytown Landing in the Thousand Islands. They spent many winters on Jekyll Island, Georgia, where they became beloved members of the arts community. At the island’s popular annual juried art exhibition, Malcolm and Sheila were regular awards winners — he for his paintings and photography, she for her pottery and weaving. Malcolm was also the welcoming face of the show, entertaining crowds in the lobby with his piano playing.
Malcolm’s legacy lives on in his children—John, Jim, and Daniel—his grandchildren Emily, Thomas, Brynley, Devon, Tara, and Victor, and his great-grandchildren Avery and Teddy. He also leaves behind the memory of his siblings Roy, Joan, Mildred, and David, whom he survived.
He will be remembered for his devotion to family, his artistic vision, his musical gifts, and the joy he brought to every room he entered. Malcolm lived with grace, humour, and a deep appreciation for beauty in all its forms—a legacy that continues to inspire those who knew and loved him.
In lieu of flowers family would welcome donations to the Ottawa Heart Institute https://www.ottawaheart.ca/
Guests will be welcomed to Beechwood Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services, 280 Beechwood Ave, on Saturday November 1, 2025 at 1:00pm with a Celebration of life to take place at 1:30pm, with an interment to follow
Digital Guestbook
Joanna Walgate
Karen Hughes
My deepest sympathy to the family in this time of sorrow.
What a beautiful tribute to your father , and your mother too. It was always obvious the few times i met them after their move to Canada, how very much they loved each other and how much they were loved by and loved their family. A sad loss to you all . Malcom was a priceless gem in every way. Rest in Peace