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Archives Mass of Christian Burial held for Thomas Hanley on Jan. 3

Jan. 9, 2019

WATERTOWN – A Mass of Christian Burial for Thomas F. Hanley, 69, formerly of Watertown, was held Jan. 3, at St. Patrick’s Church in Watertown. Mr. Hanley passed away on Tuesday, December 26 at Westchester Gardens, Palm Harbor, Florida, where he was in Hospice care.

Born June 1, 1949 in Syracuse, he was the son of William J. and Catherine Cahill Hanley. A life-long learner, Mr. Hanley was inspired to serve others through his Catholic education beginning at St. Margaret’s Catholic School and then Christian Brothers Academy where he graduated in 1967. He studied Jesuit values in business administration at Le Moyne College, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1971. He later completed graduate studies at Dartmouth University’s Graduate School of Credit and Financial Management.

On April 17, 1971, he married Mary Anne LaPlante at St. Margaret’s Church in Mattydale, NY with Reverend John Ahern officiating.

In 1972, Mr. Hanley began his 23-year banking career at the Bank of New York, Syracuse.

In 1986, Mr. Hanley and his family moved to Watertown, where he was Vice President of Norstar, later named Fleet Bank, until 1995.

He supported numerous nonprofit boards with his fiscal management expertise and leadership skills. This included Rotary, PBS, the Watertown Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Jefferson County, North Country Affordable Development Inc., North Country Affordable Housing Inc., Mercy Center for Health Services and other area organizations and task forces.

In 2007, he completed the Catholic Formation of Ministry and was commissioned a lay minister by the Diocese of Ogdensburg.

Mr. Hanley lived his faith to the fullest and contributed in many ways to his parish, St. Patrick’s Church, as well as Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Ogdensburg where he served as a Trustee and President. He and his wife, Mary Anne, received the 2013 Presidential Award from Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Ogdensburg. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 259 Watertown and St. Frances Cabrini, 3rd Degree, as well as Knights of Columbus, #699 Bishop Conroy, 4th Degree Assembly and St. Frances Cabrini, Parrish, FL. He was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Watertown.

Above all else, Tom was devoted to his family. He is survived by his wife Mary Anne, three daughters and their husbands, Christine and Brian Cisco, Watertown, Mary Pat and Eric King, Palm Harbor, and Elizabeth and Joseph Maurer, Watertown. They have seven grandchildren, Benjamin T., Andrew A., Daniel J., Molly E., Charles T., Mason L., and Jenna B. Also surviving are: four brothers, John “Jack” (Patricia) Hanley, Clay, NY, William (Eileen) Hanley, Fairfax, VA, Edward (Rose) Hanley, Rochester, NY, Daniel (Jeanne) Hanley, Syracuse, NY; two sisters, Mary Kay Scarson and her companion William Wood, Phoenix, NY, and Karen May and her companion Ronald Kingsbury, Phoenix, NY; his beloved brother- and sister-in-law, Oscar and Gayle Fleury, Palmetto, FL; and many cherished nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, Mr. Hanley is pre-deceased by his father- and mother-in-law, George and Beatrice LaPlante, and his nephew, Michael Fleury.

Contributions may be made in his name to: WPBS Foundation, Watertown; Catholic Charities, Ogdensburg; or to Empath Health at the Suncoast Hospice Foundation, Clearwater, Florida.

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