Rest in Peace John Hanlon

John T. Hanlon, a lifelong resident of Garnerville, passed away on Saturday, September 26, 2015. He was 76.

John was born November 29, 1938 in Garnerville to the late Mary (nee Kelly) and Thomas Hanlon. He was a graduate of St. Peter’s Elementary School in 1952, Haverstraw High School in 1956 and St. Michael’s College in Vermont in 1960. His post-graduate studies continued at New York University and Hunter College.

John was a U.S. Army veteran, having served with the 101st Signal Battalion during the Berlin Crisis and the Vietnam Conflict for which he was awarded a National Defense Service Medal.

John volunteered his skills and services to the North Rockland community for nearly 50 years. He was a tireless volunteer for St. Peter’s C.Y.O., Haverstraw Little League, North Rockland Sports Hall of Fame and was a past Grand Knight at the Knights of Columbus Council 581 in Haverstraw. John was very dedicated to the Catholic Church and was a parishioner of St. Gregory Barbarigo Church since its inception.

On January 23, 1971, John married Kathleen (nee McNamara) Hanlon at the Holy Eucharist Chapel in Thiells. Survivors include his sons Michael and Kevin as well as his sister Mary Campbell, several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Kathleen, his parents, and his brother Thomas Hanlon.

John worked for over 35 years at Letchworth Village in Thiells where he held positions in the Recreation Department and enjoyed coaching softball, basketball and bowling prior to the Special Olympics program. While at Letchworth, he coached the fabled Letchworth Big 5 Basketball Team before becoming an administrator at the Thiells facility. As Letchworth was closing, John was the first to suggest the purchase of property for renovation and usage by the North Rockland School District. This area is now the site of the Willow Grove Elementary School and The Fieldstone Middle School.

After retiring, John was a volunteer sports writer for the Rockland County Times covering North Rockland sports for nearly 20 years.

Family was most important to him. John loved holidays and family gatherings where he took pleasure in spending time with his nieces and nephews.

John, sometimes known by his friends as “Duke,” was a kind and caring person who was well loved by everyone who knew him.

John’s family will receive friends on Wednesday, September 30th at T.J. McGowan Sons Funeral Home in Garnerville from 1-4 & 6-9 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, October 1st at 10 AM in St. Gregory Barbarigo Church, Garnerville. Burial will follow at St. Peter’s Cemetery, Haverstraw.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in John’s memory to: Knights of Columbus Council 581, 56 W. Broad St., Haverstraw, NY 10927.
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