James L Hanna Obituary

James ( Jim) L. Hanna, age 94, died peacefully on May 25, 2025 surrounded by his family. Jim was born in December 24, 1930 in Natick to the late  Norman Hanna and Mary( Champney) Hanna. He  attended Natick Public Schools and Northeastern University , where he majored in business . He was also  enlisted in the Army and served in Texas in the medical/dental service from 1952-1954 .  He was a hard worker and worked a variety of jobs during his early years including working as a dishwasher at Wellesley College, milking cows in Vermont, security guard at a grocery store and running the  Pioneer Diner in Waltham.  During that time, he married his first wife Joan LeVasseur in 1955. After the tragic sudden death of his wife in 1963, he switched his career to teaching . He and his 5 young children moved to Montpelier , Vermont ,where he taught in one room school house. He spent his summers working at Giordano's in Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard.  He returned to Massachusetts and taught Mathematics at Atlantic Middle School , where he met his future wife and best friend , Mary ( King) Hanna , whom he married in June , 1973. They moved their families to Scituate, MA but continued to teach in Quincy, retiring  in 1997  after many years at Central Middle school.

Jim grew up in Natick with his 5 younger siblings and 2 young aunts, Doris and Mable (Chickie). He loved to play hockey, skate, swim and ice fish at Dug Pond. He was a Boy Scout as a young boy. When he was older, he loved his car and would enjoy getting ice cream at Wallace's in Natick. He became an avid skier while living in Vermont, and he continued to ski for many years.  He also was a great swimmer and diver, impressing his family and onlookers with his incredible swan dive off "the 2nd Bridge " in Martha's Vineyard, also known as Jaws Bridge. He loved sailing and had many adventures sailing in Martha's Vineyard and Scituate. He enjoyed the beach and being near the ocean and had many memorable moments with his wife and family in Scituate, Martha's Vineyard, Dennisport and Florida.   He loved to cook and was famous for his Quahog chowder and potato salad among many other interesting meals . Papa was always cooking for the family for holidays and family beach vacations.  He was a sports fan and followed the Bruins and Patriots and was fortunate to share mid court season tickets for  the Celtics for many years.

Jim was a kind and devoted family man and was completely devoted to his wife Mary as well as being a constant support to his children and grandchildren.  He was quiet, kind and welcoming to all people.  He touched many students' lives both in  Vermont and Quincy, MA . He was a member of the Catholic Church and attended mass regularly at St Francis in Scituate and later, St Anthony's in Cohasset.

Jim was predeceased by Mary, his wife of 50 years.  He is also predeceased by his oldest son, James Michael, and his brothers, Frederick and David and his sister, Janice Mead. He survives by his sister, Diane and brother, Daniel. He also leaves his son William and wife Karen of Milton, Mark of Palm Bay, Florida, John of Leesburg, Florida and Barbara of Orlando, FL. He also leaves behind his stepdaughters, who loved and cherished him for over 50 years, Janemarie Niven Dolan and husband Robert of Scituate, Judy Niven O' Flynn and husband Mark of Ipswich and Mary Beth Niven and husband Mark Chocko of Lakeville, PA.

He will be missed by his grandchildren: Megan (Hanna)  and her husband Chris Panalez,  Mallory Hanna, Julia ( Hanna) and her husband Tim Glick, Caitlin O' Flynn, Colin Dignam and his wife Shannon, Mark O'Flynn, Natalie Dignam, Alexander Dolan, Adam Hanna and his wife Kaily, Daniel O' Flynn, Melinda Dignam, Benjamin Dolan and wife Allison, and Kathryn Dolan.

He is also the proud great grandfather of Kennedy, the daughter of Adam and Kaily. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews as well as friends from his time teaching in Quincy.  He will be missed by his wonderful caretakers at Bridges by Epoch in Pembroke, Beacon Hospice and Bayada Home Health care.

Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Friday May 30, 2025  from 4-7 pm at the McNamara – Sparrell Funeral Home – 1 Summer Street , Cohasset. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday May 31, 2025 at 10:30  am at St Anthony's Church, Cohasset, MA . Interment will follow at St Mary's Cemetery , Scituate, MA .

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association ( alz.org) or a tree can be planted in his memory.

Alzheimer's Association
Web: http://www.alz.org