Obituary of John Hanley

John J. Hanley, an active member of the Burlington Knights of Columbus, passed away after a brief illness on Monday afternoon, October 22, 2012. He was 87 years old. John was born in Malden, the son of the late Ambrose and Pauline Hanley. He was raised and educated in Malden. John enlisted in the US Navy at the age of 17. He held the rank of Aviation Machinist Mate Second Class and served on the newly christened USS Princeton, which was an Essex Class Aircraft Carrier serving with the United States 8th Fleet in the Atlantic. He served his country for almost 4 years and was the the recipient of the WW II Victory Medal, American Theatre Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. After returning home in 1946, he continued to court Marguerite Lawlor whom he married in 1949. John was a longtime employee of AVCO in Wilmington, where he worked as an Assistant Engineer. He then worked as the manager of the Burlington Knights of Columbus from 1978 to 1996. He was the face of the Knights during its most active years. He coordinated countless functions and assisted numerous anxious brides on their wedding days. John was a very involved member of the Burlington Knights of Columbus as well as being a manager. He was a Third and Fourth Degree Knight, Past Grand Knight, Trustee, and member of the Fourth Degree Honor Guard. He participated in charity events, ceremonies, and socials. The Knights biggest charity was the Exceptional Children’s Fund, which John served as Chairperson for many years. It gave John and his brother Knights great joy to help special needs children and those in need. John was an avid golfer. He always looked forward to his annual trips to Aruba. He had a tradition of always going out to eat on Friday nights at the Hilltop in Saugus. John served as a Town Meeting member in Burlington for many years, where he didn’t hesitate to share his thoughts or “Move the Question!” John was a devoted husband to his wife Marguerite for 63 years. They shared a common devotion for one another, which was exemplified by John’s daily visits to the nursing home, to sit with his wife and help pass the time, for she was with the person whom he shared 63 years of marital bliss. He was the proud father of William & his wife Debbie, Karen Carlson & her husband Thomas, John & his wife Maria all of Burlington and Kevin & his wife Linda of Nashua, NH. He was the brother of Eleanor Cowhey of Andover, Robert of Chelmsford, Claire Boudreau of Ft. Meyers, FL, and the late Marion Zenoby, Pauline Dubois and Leonard Hanley. He was the grandfather of Lisa Derochers of Billerica, Dina Hanley of Medford, Jarrod Hanley, Thomas Carlson, Sheila Nobrega all of Burlington, John Paul Carlson of Dracut, Robert Hanley of Billerica and John Joseph Hanley of Derry, NH. He was also the great grandfather of James and Julia Derochers, Ava & Evan Nobrega and Thomas Carlson. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Friday, Oct. 26 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Thursday from 4-8 p.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in John ‘s name may be made to Knights of Columbus Exceptional Children’s Fund, PO Box 25, Burlington, MA 01803.