Obituary of Paul Tanner

Groveland-Hans (Paul) Tanner, former hockey writer for the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle and dealer in antiques, rare books, and postcards, died December 2, 2017 at the age of 85.

Hans was born May 26, 1932 in Irondequoit to Paul E. Tanner and Dorothy (Hyde) Tanner.  He graduated from Irondequoit High School and went on to attend the University of Rochester.  He was hired by the sports desk of the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle in 1950.  When the Rochester Americans hockey team came to town, he was assigned to cover the team’s 1956-57 season, an assignment that continued for 20 years.  Blaise M. Lamphier, in his book Hockey in Rochester: The Americans’ Tradition, said,  “Tanner’s dedication was extraordinary and he did not miss a single home game until he finished covering the team in 1977.  His collected game accounts and observations are an indispensible account from, effectively, the only man who could claim to be a team historian for the entire 20-year period.”

Hans’ career in sports writing was recognized in 1966 as a recipient of the James H. Ellery Memorial Award, in 1987 when he was inducted into the Amerks Hockey Hall of Fame as one of only two hockey beat writers to ever achieve this honor, and in 2003 when he was voted into the Frontier Field Walk of Fame.

He left the newspaper to become a dealer in rare books, postcards, and antiques. He moved to East Groveland, where he started his own company, Locust Grove Antiques, and became a regular at shows around Upstate New York.

Hans is survived by his children Thomas Tanner of Rochester, New Hampshire,  Teresa (Jon) Ferree of Apalachin, New York, Tracy Berg of Grand Junction, Colorado; and Toni (Keith) Hochhalter of Inverness, Illinois; a brother, Peter Hyde Tanner of Melbourne Beach, Florida; 6 grandchildren Lauren, Megan, Paige, Sean, Nicholas, and Nathan, as well as 3 great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

Calling hours will be held from 2-4pm, Saturday, December 9th at Hindle Funeral Home, 271 Main Street, Dansville, NY. Online remembrances may be left HindleFuneralHome.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Livingston County Hospice or Hornell Humane Society.