Paul Philip Hann passed away peacefully on October 30th, 2025, in Victoria, BC, after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s with Lewy body.
Born in West Wickham, England, on July 7, 1948, to Anne and Philip, Paul taught himself the 12-string guitar as a teenager. At 18 years old, he moved to Canada looking for “a bit of adventure,” with a plan to work as a lumberjack or an oil rigger. Instead, he ended up working in a department store in Edmonton and playing music for fun in coffee houses and pubs.
Within a few years, he’d built a thriving music career and become known as the ‘Cockney Cowboy.’ He released five studio albums, mostly via Stony Plain Records, with his first, A Fine White Thread, earning him a Juno nomination for most promising male artist in 1974.
In 1976, he met Cathy Crump. Two years later, they got married and they went on to have two children. Now a father, Paul noticed an untapped market for children’s music while out on tour and started writing hits like Snyder the Spider, Brand New Boogaloo Zoo and Bartholomew the Bat. Paul had found his calling. He went on to record 8 children’s albums, earning another Juno nomination in the process. He starred in eight seasons of his TV show ‘Paul Hann & Friends,’ produced for CFRN in Edmonton and aired nationally on CTV and YTV, and performed with symphonies across Canada.
Paul eschewed the norms of the day with a cheeky sense of humour.
“A lot of kids’ songs say, get up with a smile today/make your bed and brush your teeth/talk nicely to your parents/oh look at the sun it’s so lovely shining in your room,” he told the Edmonton Journal in 1984. “I don’t feel it’s my responsibility to stand up there and tell them how to behave.”
Paul was more than just a star up on stage though. He also worked directly with thousands of children, running songwriting workshops as an artist-in-residence in B.C. and Alberta schools. “There’s nothing finer than the sound of children’s laughter,” Paul once told a newspaper reporter.
If writing and performing children’s music was his professional calling, being a father was his personal one. Paul tested out his songs on his beloved children, Michael and Emily, and they made guest appearances on his TV show, album covers and even live on stage with him. He taught them to sing, sail and how to play guitar, but most of all how to live life on their own terms.
Paul built himself a life doing the things he loved with people he loved. He was generous, gregarious and always up for an adventure. While living in Edmonton, he earned his pilot’s licence. After moving to Victoria in 1985, Paul took up sailing, joined the Royal Victoria Yacht Club and sailed up and down Vancouver Island regularly. After he sold his boat, Paul got into cycling and would crank out 70-kilometre rides in his sixties. In 2015, Paul travelled to Antarctica with his son Michael and completed a true polar plunge.
Paul played his final show at the Calgary Folk Club on April 15, 2017, alongside his son Michael. The following spring he received a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease with Lewy body, a degenerative brain disease that quickly robbed him of his ability to play guitar. Paul fought back with all his might, taking up boxing and weightlifting to slow the progression of the disease.
Paul held his first grandchild last Christmas and was surrounded by her laughter in his final days. Paul is survived by his brother Jonathan, sister Elizabeth, children Michael (Emma) and Emily (Sean) and granddaughter Mollie.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Victoria in the spring. If you are interested in attending, please fill out this form, where you can also share memories with his family.
The family wish to thank the loving friends, doctors, nurses and care aids who cared for Paul over the last several years, especially Dr. Joshua Budlovsky.
In lieu of flowers, go outside and take a deep breath of the fresh air, crank your favourite Paul Hann tune, hug your loved ones and set out on an adventure. And always remember, Life Is A Bowl Of Strawberries.
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Matthew Vorstermans
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Gerry McDougall I am just hearing about Paul’s passing now, my sincere condolences to his family. I first met Paul I think in 1970. Although I didn’t know him well, I think about him and his kind personality often. I bought his old Guild 6 string guitar that he sold to buy a 12 string. I still have that guitar, I really love it and still play from time to time and think of his wonderful humor when I do.
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Penny Soutar My deepest condolences to Paul’s family. I met Paul on a wet night in Woodinville, Washington as we waited for the fireworks to start on July fourth. My family loved his music so much that we frequently went to his concerts. I was so inspired by his love for children, that I made him a lollipop tree for his grandkids. His music became a part of my elementary science classroom and the hippo song was my students’ favorite. Thank you, Paul for the music and the love. Again my deepest condolences to his family.
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Blaise Salmon Paul’s CD’s were always favorites on our summer road trips, and not only for the kids.
We still play them sometimes in our old minivan, the only CD player we have left.We’ll miss you, Uncle Po.
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Bruce Smith My condolences to Paul’s family. I knew Paul very briefly over the winter of 1968-69 when we both worked at the Woodward’s Department Store food floor at the Westmount Shopping Centre in Edmonton. This must have been shortly after he arrived in Canada. I remember he took every opportunity to perform with his guitar for the store customers at occasions like Christmas, with a steady stream of people walking by, between the main store and the shops in the mall. I followed his career after he moved to the coast, one or two Edmonton winters can make that an attractive move! So sorry for your loss, but good memories too.
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George Hamilton Paul aways made me smile. I remember him coming to the elementary school I worked at, and being embraced by 300 kids excited to sing with him. He brought so much energy and happiness with him every time he entered our lives! What a Gem!
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Jack Walton My heartfelt condolences to Cathy and all of Paul’s family. Such wonderful memories of working with Paul so many years ago. Always energized by his humble positive energy and his contagious twinkling smile. Rest well Paul.
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Marni Barley What an absolute pleasure it was to have met Paul:)
The pure excitement for Paul when Emily would enter the floor with his McFlurry or Blizzard!!
The ice cream Sandwiches 1st floor went through! ❤️ plus his love he had for pizza. Fond memories that will be forever in my ❤️
Play away my friendSincere condolences to you Michael and Emily.
What a very special father you had!!Marni B
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Cathryn ONeill Many fond memories of a kind and generous spirit, that was Paul Hann. We shared lots of good times on the water together. Fair winds and following seas on your way, Paul.
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Kirk Working Up the Line — My favourite song and an inspiration to learn guitar. Rest peacefully Paul Hann. Condolences to family and friends.
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Robin & Carolyn (Caropaubas)) You’re still the “Best Man” we ever had !!
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Bev Ross I remember Paul so well as a friend from our days in the Edmonton music community, a man gifted with generosity of spirit, immense talent and a cheeky sense of humour. My heart goes out to you, Emily and Michael, knowing how much you’ll miss him. Never doubt that his spirit loves and lives on in you.
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Kirk and Margot Kirkpatrick Sending Emily and Michael our condolences on the passing of your wonderful father Paul. He was a joy to be around and we shared many happy memories of cheering on our daughters at school sports events. Rest easy old friend – your watch is done.
Kirk and Margot Kirkpatrick
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Sue Rogers My sincere condolences to you Mike and Emily. Your dad was such a talented, welcoming, and kind man. And so proud of you. All of the best parts of him, live on in you. Sending much strength and love to you and your families during this terribly difficult time.
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Patricia Curry A BIG thank you for entertaining my children for sooo many years ! Yes, you indeed found your calling !
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Cathy Time to rest, Paul, knowing that you lived your life to the fullest and that our children are loving, strong and successful humans, whose love for you is endless❤️. That affection will be passed on to our sweet granddaughter, Mollie, who will grow up knowing and loving you, as well. Cathy
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Gerry and Helga Robson We didn’t get to know Paul until after we moved from Calgary to Victoria in 1987, but our luck sure turned after we experienced sailing with him as close friends and fellow members of the RVicYC.
Paul became a very dear friend, for which we will always be thankful.
Go ahead and REST our friend, you brought joy to so many, while you were with us.
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Steve Young Memories are made of people like Paul, who I first met in Edmonton when he and I were invited to dinner at Cathy’s home, where I met my lovely wife Trish (the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.) A few days later, I attended a concert at the Jubilee Auditorium, where Paul appeared on stage along with the world-famous musician Ry Cooder….oh what a night it was. Paul exuded the kind of positive energy that became the hallmark of his life, and now, as he rides off into the sunset, I will never forget him, my Cockney Cowboy friend. Happiness awaits you Paul….I’ll see you again sometime soon. In closing, to Michael and Emily….you are the beneficiaries of your Dad’s big-heartedness and gracious spirit, and my condolences go out to you both.
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Jonathan Hann Rest in peace dear Paul. You are the best brother a man could have.Wonderful memories of childhood and beyond. Your brother Jonathan
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Derek Stephenson Catherine and I hope to see you all in the spring to share some stories and raise a glass to the truly magical man called Paul Phillip Hann
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Donna Collett My sincere condolences to the whole family. I have wonderful memories of watching Paul touch the lives of many children in schools with his love of music!! He was always so inspiring.
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Karl Larsen Like so many, I was lucky enough to have Paul be a part of my life. Whether he was at the helm, on the sideline, or the life of the party, he was always kind, supportive, and brought an unmatched energy for life. Always know as “Admiral Hann” to my family, Paul was one of a kind. Sending Love to whole Hann family.
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Alan Kellogg My dear friend, for many years my best friend. An unkind end to a life beautifully lived.
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Dan Miller My heartfelt thoughts are with all of you. Paul was, and always will be, one of a kind. I will never forget the Christmas laughs we all had, to times out on “music man” my eyes fill with tears of joyful memories that I will always hold so close to my heart. It goes without saying he was so proud of both of you, and respectfully so. I wouldn’t miss celebrating one of the best humans I have ever had the privilege and honour to know and spend life long memories with.
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Kathryn Juricic Sending love to the whole Hann clan and all who loved Paul. <3
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Aharon Ittah My sincere condolences to you, Michael and Emily. What wonderful memories we all have of Paul. Sending love to you guys.
To the Hann Family,
I just now learned of Paul’s departure and was shocked by the news. I met Paul only once when I was eight years old (in 1989) but I remember it like it was yesterday. He travelled to Ontario and performed a concert at the elementary school in my village of Creemore. Exhibiting the kindness and humor he was known for, the audience was captivated and enjoyed every moment (the songs “Singing in the Kitchen”, “This-a-way, That-a-way,” and “Meatballs and Spaghetti” really stand out). Following the concert, many attendees wanted to have words with him, but I was so taken by his warmth and charm, I was among the last to remain because I couldn’t stop talking to him. In retrospect, this is quite impressive because I have moderate Cerebral Palsy and use a walker to navigate most places, yet Paul appeared oblivious to it and spoke to me as if I were completely normal. I discussed the glorious visit for months afterward, to the point where some people grew weary of it; I recounted the experience in a home-made book, and savored his album “Burney the Bow-legged Bloodhound” for years.
It is unfortunate Paul battled such a terrible condition later in life, but may you find comfort knowing he left an indelible mark on so many people.
Warmest wishes!