Allan Thomas Hanifee Sr.

Allan T. (Al) Hanifee, Sr. of Chestertown, MD passed away on Friday, May 17, 2024 at UMMS Easton Hospital. Al was born on October 24, 1932 as the seventh and last child to Lydia (Newnam) and James P. Hanifee. In his early years, he showed leadership skills. In the 6th grade, he was the Captain of Safety Patrol. From 7th through 12th grades, he was the President of his class each year. In the 11th and 12th grades at Chestertown High School, he was the editor of the monthly newspaper (Reflector), as well as the President of the Student Council. During 12th grade, he was the editor of the yearbook (The Dragon). Allan played varsity soccer all 4 years of high school. During his senior year of high school, he took a competitive written examination for a Maryland Senatorial Scholarship and was awarded the 4-year scholarship to Washington College. At Washington College, he played varsity soccer all 4 years, and was team captain during his senior year when the team won the Mid-Atlantic Conference Championship against Haveford College. He was also Chairman of the World University Fund and a member of the Lamba Chi fraternity. After college, Allan went into the military. He was stationed near the Czechoslovakian border as a tank commander and courier. During temporary duty year (TDY), he did parts of 2 years playing soccer for the 11th Armored Calvary Regiment. After serving in the military, Allen began his teaching career at Sudlersville High School, teaching geography and English. He became interested in why some students were not reading as well as others, so he enrolled in University of Maryland College Park for 5 years for special classes in reading. He taught reading in elementary, middle, and high schools in Queen Anne’s County. Later, he returned to College Park for special courses in speech therapy, where he worked in the 9 schools that were open in the county at the time. While teaching in the Queen Anne’s County School system for 37 years, he was Elementary School PTA President and President of the Queen Anne’s County Teachers Association. He also taught classroom teachers Maryland History, for those who came from out of the State of Maryland, without the Maryland State Department Certification. Allan was the head teacher and manager for the Federal Migrant Program for 12 years. In addition to teaching, Allan coached baseball for seven years at Sudlersville High School, with a record of 80-18. He refereed high school soccer and basketball. In 1996, Allan and his wife Barbara purchased a home and moved to Chestertown. In 1999, he was elected for (2) 6-year terms to the Kent County Board of Education. He served as the Kent County Representative to the Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) for all 12 years. He attended monthly meetings in Annapolis, in addition to other meetings across the state. He attended meetings at the State Department of Education and across the state representing Kent County Board of Education. While on the Board of Education, Allan was President of the Kent County Enrichment Foundation, which raised monies for afterschool and summer programs. During this time, he was also elected to the Kent County Chamber of Commerce. Allan also represented the Kent County Board of Education on the Eastern Shore Educational Consortium. Allan also taught GED and homebound students and did private tutoring. He retired from teaching in 1991. Softball was his game. He was named Commissioner of Adult Modified Fast Pitch in 1973 for Maryland ASA, where he served until 1999. In 2000, he was elected Commissioner and President of the new organization UMSA, along with representatives of the Atlantic Coast state teams. He served in this capacity for 10 years, retiring in 2010. Allan had also been a player, manager, and league president during his softball career. Allan was tournament director for four major National Men’s Softball tournaments. He and his wife Barbara hosted two college students attending Washington College – Marcus Korgsar of Tallin, Estonia and Gabrielle Hernandez from Tegucigalpa, Honduras. The students had tuition but no room or board. Allan and his wife Barbara were married 58 years before she passed away in 2018. He is survived by 3 children, Allan Thomas Jr. (Amy) of Goldsboro, MD; Greg (P.Kaye) of Chicago, IL; Jennifer of East New Market, MD; 6 grandchildren, T.L. Hanifee of Harrington, DE,Dr. Tawes A. Harper of Easton, MD, Crystal Hanifee of Chestertown, MD, Tara Hanifee of Still Pond, MD, Tess (Dr. Spencer) Van Decar of San Antonio, TX, and Jack (Emma Naden-Johns) Hanifee of Seattle, WA and two great grand-children, Charlotte and Penelope Van Decar of San Antonio, TX. He is also survived by sisters- and brothers-in-law Janet and Charles Reynolds of Church Hill, MD, and Joyce and Bill Hodgson of Chestertown, MD, as well as many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by his brothers and sisters Mae Wallace, James Hanifee, William Hanifee, Mary Hanifee, Betty Mount, and Jack Hanifee, as well as sister- and brother-in-law Helen and Charles Stevens. Allan and Barbara donated to many organizations, including Chestertown Fire Company, Kent and Queen Anne’s Co Rescue Squad, Hospice, Children’s Health and Research Organizations, Veterans Groups, and animal organizations. A viewing will be held from 5-7pm on Thursday May 23, 2024, followed by services at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home at 130 Speer Rd, Chestertown, MD 21620. A private graveside service will be held on Friday, May 24, 2024. Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to Kent and Queen Anne’s County Rescue Squad (kentresquesquad.com).

Allan Thomas Hanifee Sr.

October 24, 1932 - May 17, 2024