BRAINTREE − In writing last week about late Patriot Ledger reporter Fred Hanson, who died April 8 at age 67, I was asked by readers who offered their condolences whether I knew Fred very well.
I did not, partly because we worked at very different times of day. As I talked to people about him, I learned a lot about Fred, his wide-spread knowledge and many interests, his kindness and devotion to his family. He had been with The Patriot Ledger for almost 43 years.
I also was reminded about some of the qualities that matter the most to readers in covering local news.
One of the people I spoke with was Ann Toland, who is 80 and the hard-working co-director of the Marge Crispin Center in Braintree. She is a lifelong Braintree resident; her late husband, Frank, was a selectman.
Ann has been in this role for some 22 years since she retired from State Street Bank. She spoke about how Fred faithfully covered events and meetings during that time. "He was very, very good to the Crispin Center and to me, and he loved our mission," she said.
Ann Toland and Pat Conrad, also a longtime co-director, were recently honored for their years of service at the Crispin Center's 50th anniversary.
Ann described how Fred was "a big part of Braintree" and enjoyed that role.
Fred Hanson 'knew the town so well'
"Fred would come by just to give his advice, because he knew the town so well," she said. "His perspective was just a little different but very, very helpful. If it was something he wasn't quite sure of, he would research it and get back to me."
The sudden loss of Fred Hanson leaves a legacy to be filled in one way or another.
And, as Ann Toland said, "In time to come, it will be a comfort to know the huge impact Fred had during his lifetime."
After former Mayor Joe Sullivan stepped down from public office in 2020, he would see Fred around town and they would often talk about books, public issues "and the way people get their information today, all from selective sources," Sullivan said.
Former mayor: 'I didn't always agree with his stories, but they were fair, honest and objective'
"That dismayed Fred. And he knew he could elevate the conversation based on his reporting. He cared deeply about doing a fair and accurate job in helping to move the subject matter along. I didn't always agree with his stories, but they were fair, honest and objective."
The last news story that Sullivan spoke to Fred about was the March 8 demolition of Motel 6 on Union Street. As mayor, Sullivan had fought to close the motel.
Finally, thank you also to Susan Trausch, of Hingham, a retired writer and editor at The Boston Globe, who also underscored the affability and sense of fun Fred brought to journalism.
"I met him only once, when the Globe sent me to a crazy story about the Braintree movie theatre doing baseball nights," Trausch emailed.
"They ran the game on the big screen and brought the junk food and beer right to your comfortable seat. Fred and I agreed we worked for a nutty business, and also agreed we were glad we did.
Reach Sue Scheible at sscheible@patriotledger.com.
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