1921 – 2015

JEFFERSON — William E. “Ted” Hanks, 94, of Jefferson, died of a broken heart at home, surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, Dec. 8. His wife of 52 years, Consuelo Eames Hanks, passed away a week earlier.

He was born in Easton, Md., May 16, 1921, the son of Fletcher Hanks Sr. and Margaret Parsons. Ted graduated from Mercersburg Academy in Mercersburg, Pa., then graduated from Webb Institute of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering in Glen Cove, N.Y.

He had a long successful career in the U.S. Navy in engineering and repair. Tours of duty included Vietnam, Japan, and U.S Naval bases at Jacksonville, Fla., Newport News, Va., Boston, New Orleans, and San Diego. After he retired from the navy, he and Consuelo moved to Maine, where they both devoted their time to painting, carving, sailing, and restoring a 200-year-old farmhouse.

As a young man growing up in the sailing community of Oxford, Md., he was a competitive sailor, winning many regattas in the Chesapeake Bay. He built many sailboats, his first unbeknownst to his parents, to which he fashioned a bed sheet for a sale. His grandfather, Ed Parsons, owned a chandlery, selling supplies for the extensive sailing community, which furthered Ted’s knowledge of sailing. His passion for sailing continued throughout his life. He and Consuelo spent much time racing and cruising on the coast of Maine in their Friendship sloop, Sarah Mead.

It was also from Ed Parsons, a renowned decoy carver on the Eastern Shore, that Ted learned how to carve, beginning at age 5. His carvings of wildlife, especially waterfowl common on the Chesapeake Bay, have been exhibited around the country. Ted carved the black ducks that have graced the trout pond at the flagship L.L. Bean store in Freeport for many years. Over the years he studied the details, habitats, and behavior of birds. He learned to hunt and scout for geese, ducks, doves, and quail, developing and refining his understanding of birds that was reflected in his carvings. In his lifetime he carved thousands of birds, many full-sized and in flight. He learned to draw from his father, Fletcher Hanks Sr., who was an influential illustrator and cartoon artist. As a painter, Ted’s subjects included seascapes, landscapes, and sailboats.

Ted and Consuelo led an adventurous life with travels to many exotic places. They frequently painted en plein air during their trips, capturing the essence of landscapes, skies and boats.

Ted also mentored many young carvers whom he welcomed into his studio and shared his respect for wildlife, working with wood, and very sharp tools.

He will be remembered for his sense of humor, love of good Scotch, and his repertoire of imaginative tales from around the world.

He will be dearly missed by his family: son, Peter Hanks and daughter-in-law, Trish Hanks; son, Ian A. Hanks and daughter-in-law, Jaime Peabody-Hanks; stepdaughters, Pebble Kelsey and her husband, James D. Kelsey; Robyn B. Holman; Heather Page and husband, Ray Page; grandchildren, Autumn A. Straw and husband, C. Henning Vagtborg, Aran Straw, Brett Davies, Douglas Davies, Audrey H. Schwinn and husband, James Merrifield, Sophie H. Schwinn, Muriel I. H. Schwinn, and Karina Hanks. Nieces include Suzanne Hanks Liddy, Michael Hanks, Daphne Hanks; and nephews include David Hanks, Fletcher Hanks III, Jay Fountain, and Jeff Fountain.

He was predeceased by a son, Parsons Hanks; brothers, Fletcher Hanks Sr. and Doug Hanks Sr.; a sister, Alma Fountain; and nephew, Doug Hanks Jr.

Condolences and messages for the family may be expressed by visiting: www.stronghancock.com.