John "Jack" W. Hanlon died peacefully, Monday May 4th, 2009.

    Jack was born in Worcester, Massachusetts on October 24th, 1926 to Agnes and Edward Hanlon. Prior to graduating from High School, Jack joined the Navy in 1944. He served from 1944 to 1946 as a first class seaman on the USS Akutan in the World War II Pacific Theatre of Operations. Jack was honorably discharged from the Navy on June 25th, 1946 earning the World War II Victory Medal, the American Theatre Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Medal – 2 stars and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon. When returning from the war, Jack went back to school and completed his High School education at Commerce High School. He continued his education at Worcester State College (WSC) earning a BS in Education in 1951. He continued on at WSC to earn a Master's in Education in 1954.

    Jack was a teacher in the Worcester Public School system from 1951 – 1957 and an assistant principle from 1957 – 1959. His thirst for education quickly saw him return to Academia and enroll at Boston College Law School where 4 years later he graduated at the top of his class earning his Law Degree in 1959. He was admitted to the Bar Association in 1959 when he started his career with John J. Melican at 37 Harvard Street, Worcester, MA. He later went on to practice law with some of his best friends at Clifford, O'Connor, Hanlon, Adamiak and McCarthy. Primarily he practiced law in all courts in Worcester County trying civil, criminal and probate cases. He also tried numerous civil and criminal cases in the Worcester Superior Court. He was special assistant to the Massachusetts Attorney General from 1974 – 1986. He retired in 2001 at the age of 74. He was a member of the Worcester School Committee from 1961 – 1965 and was Vice Chairman of the Worcester School Committee in 1964.

    In 1962, Jack was elected one of Worcester's Outstanding Young Men by the Worcester Junior Chamber of Commerce. He was Vice Chairman of the Democratic City Committee for 8 years. He served the Worcester Public Library in many ways. He was Trustee from 1969 – 1975, Director from 1974 – 1976 and President in 1977. He served as President of the Worcester Pee Wee Hockey Association in 1964 and 1965. He was President of the Davisville Association in Falmouth, Massachusetts in 1975 and 1976. He also participated in the Air Force Academy Parents Association, Worcester Main South Post, Elks, Greendale Retired Men's Club, Holy Cross Sodality and a lifelong parishioner at Our Lady of the Angels Parish.

    Jack was a "favorite" of many people throughout his life. He lived with impeccable integrity, pride and a sense of dedication to his family. He was ahead of his time focusing on physical fitness as evidenced by a life time of running long before it became popular. He spent his summers in the Menahaunt area of East Falmouth on Cape Cod; and while he lived in Worcester he could generally be found in one of the local hockey rinks with his family.

    He leaves two brothers: Edward J Hanlon Jr. of Yarmouth, Massachusetts and Father Robert M. Hanlon, S. J., Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. He was predeceased by two sisters: Mrs. Margaret Killoran of Worcester, Massachusetts and Mrs. Catherine P. Butler of Centerville, Massachusetts. John and Jeannette had seven children: Kevin W. Hanlon and his wife Donna of East Hampton, Connecticut, Paul P. Hanlon and his wife Jane of Leicester, the late Brian "Squeeky" Hanlon and his wife Noreen of Worcester, Susan M. Kasper and her husband William of Worcester, John W. Hanlon and his wife Laurine of Worcester, Kathleen O'Connor and her husband Peter of Holden and Robert M. Hanlon and his wife Kimberly of Newton, Massachusetts. He also had 19 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

    The funeral is Thursday, May 7th from O'CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue with a Mass at 10:00 AM in Our Lady of the Angels Church, 1222 Main Street. Burial will be in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. Calling hours are Wednesday, May 6th from 4:00 until 8:00 PM in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Massachusetts General Hospital – MIND, Attn. Janice Hayes-Cha, 114 16th Street – 114-2001, Charlestown, MA 02129 – 4404.