Joseph D. Hanlon

POMPTON PLAINS, NJ- Joseph D. Hanlon, Jr., 85, born in Worcester but most recently of Pompton Plains, NJ passed away peacefully with his family nearby on June 20, 2010. Predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Beatrice (Laliberte) Hanlon; a sister, Joan (Hanlon) Houston; a brother in law, Richard Topor; and a daughter, Kathleen (Hanlon) McBain. He leaves his loving wife of nearly 59 years, Alice (Shea) Hanlon and their children: Theresa Von Nessi and her husband Greg of NJ, Elizabeth Brasser and her husband James of Rochester, NY, William McBain of Duxbury, MA, Mary Ellen Krivanek and her husband Stephen of Columbia, NJ, Joseph Hanlon and his wife Christine of Dallas, TX, and Timothy Hanlon and his wife Carrie of London, England. He was so very proud of all his grandchildren: Christina and her husband James, Dana, Jimmy, Liz, Colleen, Billy, Dan, Keara, Erin, Caitlyn, Sean, and Mara. He also leaves siblings: Tom (JoAnne) Hanlon of South Bend, IN, Mary (Richard) Topor of Worcester, MA, and John (Betty) Hanlon of Holden, MA as well as many in laws, nieces and nephews and friends.

Born and raised in Worcester, Joe attended South High, The College of the Holy Cross, and served in the Army Air Corps during WWII. Most recently a resident of Cedar Crest in Pompton Plains, NJ, he had lived for many years in Union, NJ working as a comptroller for a company in NYC. He was a founding member of Holy Spirit parish and served as a lector, parish council member, and even occasionally an altar server, and was also active within the Knights of Columbus and Holy Name Society. A modest and gentle man who was a devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle, and friend, Joe was beloved by all who knew him. It was his restraint and good example that led to his inclusion in Tim Russert's bestselling book, Wisdom of Our Fathers (p.53). His sense of humor and interest in the computer garnered him many friends. He was a lifelong Red Sox fan.

The funeral will be held on Monday, June 28 from CALLAHAN & FAY BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 61 Myrtle Street, Worcester, MA with a Mass at 10:00 AM in Immaculate Conception Church, 353 Grove Street, Worcester. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery, Worcester. Visiting hours are Sunday, June 27 from 5-8 PM in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) of 383 Main Ave, 5th Floor, Norwalk, CT 06851 or the College of the Holy Cross at 1 College St., Worcester, MA, 01610. For directions and online condolence book please visit www.callahanfay.com