"No whistelin' in the wheelhouse"
Hanks journey came to a close on July 12, 2024 in Port Townsend Wa, at the age of 80 with his loved ones at his bedside.
He was born on November 30, 1943 to Henry Paul Sondie Sr. and Edna Violet Pearson in Denver, CO.
Hank spent his youth helping his father in his automotive parts store where he learned how to fix almost every kind of engine. He later claimed this experience was a prerequisite for owning and operating a commercial fishing vessel.
He graduated from North Denver High School and briefly attended the University of Colorado, Boulder. He also attended Crawford Nautical School in Seattle WA and obtained his Masters/Mates license.
Hank's taste for adventure led him to enlist in the United States Navy and he served his country from 1963-1967 with two years reserve and an Honorable Discharge in 1969. He was a Vietnam Veteran and his experience impacted him for the rest of his life.
Hank was forever quoting sea farers superstitions. "Cats are good luck, "Right foot only when boarding a ship", "Never ship out on on a Friday." Apparently this applied to when we went camping too. And always, "Never say goodbye..." He was superstitious about whistling in the wheel house and a bright red sunrise.
Hanks continued draw to the ocean lead him to a lifetime of working in the maritime trade. His long career as a S.E. Alaska fisherman, raising and teaching his children, Leona, Luisa, and Christopher, the life of living off of and a respectful understanding of the sea. Son Christopher is following in his father's footsteps to this day.
His deep love of the sea and a gift for music took him to many ports throughout the world. As a deep sea sailor, with the Military Sea Command, he traveled the world and played his flute, and often his saxophone, in many foreign venue. He was quick to make a friend, share a joke, swap a sea story, lend a hand, and of course, play an incredible solo!
In the 1970's his love of music and his talent for improv led him to play with bands up and down the west coast, at times opening up for big named artists. He loved sharing stories of his band traveling days and could whip up a great sea story as well, of which there were many.
Hank met his love, Rachel Lindquist, in 1998 and they married in Hawaii in the year 2000. While he was contracted with a Navel Training ship stationed at Pearl Harbor, he thought he might retire from the constant travel of life on the sea. However, a move back to Alaska and a job on the Alaskan Marine Highway beckoned him back to the maritime industry. He would often say that the sea spoke to him constantly and he was most comfortable on the ocean. He especially reflected on this when he was no longer able to work on the sea.
Music was an everyday constant as well, teaching, sharing, and loving music to the very end of his life. Playing his flute brought him great comfort while his Alzheimer's took away so much. Joy was shared with others freely and often through his gift of music.
Hank was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Gloria Sondie, and Margery Sondie.
He leaves behind his wife, Rachel Lindquist-Sondie, son, Christopher Paul Sondie of Port Orford, OR, his daughters, Leona Francis Sondie of Woodland Hills, CA, and Luisa Violet (Aaron) Beme of Aspen, CO, two bonus children, Jesse (Hannah) Norton of Edmonds, WA and Toby (Stephanie) Roberts of Portland, OR., and eight grandchildren that he cherished deeply. Hank also leaves behind many musician family and friends.
A celebration of Hanks' life is planned for the spring. Per his request, an acoustic instrument and a shot glass are required.
If ou would like to donate to Hanks memory, please consider the Alzheimer's association for research or a Veterans organization organization of choice.
