Share
Howard Hanna Jr., the founder of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, died Saturday, the brokerage announced on its Facebook page.
“At 101 years old, we are fortunate that we had a century with the pillar of our family, a business leader, and a community supporter,” the Facebook post notes. “For those of you who knew him, we hope that you will remember him fondly, including his wonderful handwritten notes and his corny jokes. But most of all you will remember his commitment to his family and to all of our agents and employees at Howard Hanna Real Estate Services.”
Hanna founded Howard Hanna Real Estate Services in 1957. He and his late wife Anne Freyvogel Hanna first operated the brokerage from a one-room office near their home in Pittsburgh. The corner of that neighborhood is now known as Howard Hanna Way to honor the beginnings of a business that grew into a national brand name. Howard Hanna has become one of the largest family-owned operated brokerages in the country.
Prior to starting in real estate, Hanna earned two business degrees from the University of Pittsburgh, served in the U.S. Army in World War II, held various roles in the local chambers of commerce, and served in executive leadership roles with the Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh and Home Builders Association of Greater Cleveland.
The brokerage has been run by various family members since it was founded in 1957. It is currently run by Hanna’s three children, Annie, Helen, and Hoddy, and his five grandchildren.
Howard Hanna has more than 400 residential and commercial, mortgage, insurance, title, and escrow service offices across 11 states. It has more than 13,000 sales associates and staff members.