It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Peter Frances Hannam on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at Hospice Wellington. Peter was born on the family farm outside of Guelph and spent all his 85 years there. While Peter achieved professional success and numerous accolades, he was most proud to say that “he never left home and never had a real job”. This humility was one of his defining characteristics, along with integrity, discipline, collaboration and inspiring rural youth. After graduation from Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) at the University of Guelph in 1962, he quickly made changes to Woodrill Farms and set it on a path to grow into the thriving agri-business that it is today. In addition to Woodrill, his business accomplishments are many, including leading a group of 12 seed growers to create an innovative soybean seed company, First Line Seeds, in 1982. Peter and the company had a clear focus on expanding soybeans as a major Canadian crop despite our short growing season. Along the way, Peter championed Canadian agriculture and rural communities through leadership roles in the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Trust, the Board of Directors of the John Labatt company, and other roles. In recognition of his dedication to agriculture, Peter was inducted into the Canadian Agriculture Hall of Fame (2006), the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame (2015) and received an Honorary Doctorate of Science (D. Sc.) from University of Guelph (2007). Peter loved a challenge and in retirement he found new ones, including proving that rhododendrons can grow in our cold climate, setting new fitness goals in his workouts at the Guelph YMCA and learning to cook in his 80’s. But one thing that never changed was his dedication to youth and mentoring new generations. Peter had a lighter side too – “Pete and Sandy” were never one to miss a party and the farm was a gathering place for family and their many life-long friends through the decades. Peter was predeceased by his loving wife Sandra (nee Bjarneson). He was the beloved father of Rob (Kelly Green), Greg (Lisa), and Carol (Tony Jelich). “Poppa” was the cherished grandfather of Rebecca, Liam, Luke (Naomi van Stuyvenberg), Cole (Naomi Henry), Owen, Zoey, Carson, Katherine, and Annalise. He is survived by his loving sister Valerie (Neil McCorkindale) and pre-deceased by his brother Richard “Dick”(Teresa) and sister Evelyn (Vince Eagan). Peter will be missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and the Woodrill family. His family will receive friends and loved ones at the Gilbert MacIntyre and Son Funeral Home, Hart Chapel, 1099 Gordon St., Guelph. Visitation details to be announced. Mass will be celebrated at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate in Guelph on Monday June 23 at 10:30am.
