Obituary of John Patrick Hanlon, Jr.

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father, John P. “Jack” Hanlon, Jr. Jack passed away peacefully at home on Friday, March 15, 2024, at the age of 96 with his family by his side. He was born in Philadelphia, PA to Louise (nee Ryan) and John P. Hanlon, Sr. He attended West Catholic High School and St. Joseph’s College where he excelled and lettered in Varsity tennis for four years. His love of tennis culminated in Jack operating and maintaining the Hilltop Tennis Club in Drexel Hill and serving as Director of Tennis for Upper Darby Township.

Jack began his extensive lifelong career in business and aerospace at Piasecki Aircraft, progressively elevating to executive positions with Bell Helicopter, Benson Manufacturing, Board of Directors at Grier Electronics, President of Datcom Incorporated, culminating in his entrepreneurial endeavor, The Hanlon Company. He was a craftsman by design and an inventor at heart. Constantly refining his work, he acquired multiple US Patents over the years. Jack also designed and provided components for the U.S. Navy SPY-1 Aegis Weapon System and CH-47 Chinook Helicopter. He also took part in developing a high-altitude platform to detect enemy ICBM launches, and insulation for the Space Shuttle, rocket boosters, and International Space Station.

Family and married life included relocations to Grand Island, New York, Prairie Village, Kansas, and West Chester. In 1967, after many years of sacrifice and moving due to career demands, he and his devoted wife, Carolyn, found their forever home on a vast property in Concordville, PA where they raised their nine children. On the weekends, you would typically find him in his flannel shirt and baseball cap, tinkering with home projects, but mostly enjoying visits from family and friends. 

Jack was known for his dapper attire. No matter the occasion or weather, he would be decked out in a classy suit and tie. With his warm smile, engaging personality, and clever and savvy wit, he was truly an inspiring presence. Known for his firm handshake, he was always extending his right hand to "press the flesh" as he called it. And he never left home without a joke to share.

Jack was genuinely interested in others. Being a great listener was one of his many talents. “Two ears to one mouth” he would say. He was sought out for his sage advice. Embellished with his favorite anecdotes and sayings, his prophetic words and pragmatic perspective helped many along their own paths in life. He was exceedingly generous with his time and resources. When you needed him, he was there. 

Jack's reserved demeanor was easily transformed at a moment’s notice as he was always up for fun with “his gang”(family), or wherever life or his wife steered him. Always an unwavering and enthusiastic fan of all generations of his family, he could be found in the audience at every recital and sporting event. He loved a nice turn on the dance floor, a tune playing in the background or humming one of his own, and an occasional scotch with emphasis on ONE ice cube "because you never want to water it down!"

Jack served his country honorably while in the Army during World War II. He was a member of the American Legion and VFW. A devout lifelong Catholic, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus Ave Maria Council and Cardinal Dougherty Assembly. Jack was also very active in his children’s schools and in the community as President of the Delaware County Fire Police Association, Civil Defense Director for Concord Township, a Counselor for several Boy Scout merit badges, leader in the 4-H Gardening Club, and Director of the Delaware County 4-H Association.

Jack was preceded in death by his beloved parents, John Patrick, Sr. and Louise (nee Ryan) Hanlon, his first wife Anne “Nancy” (nee Gibbons), his wife of 66 years, Carolyn Sue (nee Young), his grandson Harrison Troy, and his brother Jim. He is survived by his nine children Maryanne (Greg) Higbee, Carol (Bob) Scogna, Jack (Julie) Hanlon, Bob (Sharon) Hanlon, Patricia Troy, Katherine (Jim) Reid, Anne Marie Hanlon (Art), Daniel (Karin) Hanlon, Christopher (Suzanne) Hanlon, his grandchildren Tom (Abby), Charles (Yen), Will (Connie), James Scogna, Shelby Troy, Danielle, and Laura Higbee, Haley, Amelia and Caelen Reid, Isabelle, Dever, Ella, and Dorian Hanlon, and his three great-grandchildren Savannah, Genevieve, and Nico Scogna. He is also survived by his sisters, Katherine Stover and Mary Louise McLaughlin, as well as many friends, nieces, and nephews who will remember him fondly.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at the Pagano Funeral Home, 3711 Foulk Road, Garnet Valley, PA from 6:00 – 8:00 PM.. An additional 9:15 AM visitation and 10:30 AM funeral mass will be held at St. Cornelius Catholic Church, 160 Ridge Road, Chadds Ford, PA 19317 on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. The morning viewing and funeral mass will be live streamed at the following web page: https://saintcornelius.org/mass-livestream.  Interment will follow at St. Thomas Catholic Church, Glen Mills, PA.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Jack’s name can be made to IHM Ministries and Camilla Hall, in honor of Jack’s aunt, Sister Thomas Aquinas, and his cousin, Sister Charles Mary - https://ihmimmaculata.org/share-our-mission/give-a-gift/.