Obituary of William Albert Hanrahan

William Albert Hanrahan Heaven wept with joy as the Lord embraced William Albert Hanrahan, 77, into His fold on a rain swept Monday, October 4, 2010. Bill was predeceased by his parents, William and Ellen Hanrahan, and his sister and her husband, Alice (Hanrahan) & William Gibbs. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 54 years, Joan Regan Hanrahan, Endicott; his brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Ann Hanrahan, Parsippany, NJ; 3 sons and a daughter, Bill and Teresa Hanrahan, Endwell, NY, Kevin Hanrahan, Anchorage, AK, Michael Hanrahan, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and Eileen Hanrahan, Endicott, NY; 4 grandchildren, Jessica, Shannon, Patrick and Maggie Hanrahan; also special nieces and their families, extended family, life-long friends and new friends he was blessed to know at Yesteryears Senior Program in Endwell. Bill graduated from Regis HS, NYC then attended Fordham University where he honed a keen talent as the star pitcher until he graduated. Bill, a jet pilot, was a first lieutenant in the Air Force until his honorable discharge when he joined IBM and became a member of the Quarter Century Club. He shared his love of sports with his kids and spent many happy weekends teaching them to ski then later trying to keep up with them on the slopes. Bill had a gift for story-telling and could chew a good yarn about his days in Farm-league baseball and the many escapades he and his wife shared after retirement as they explored the lower 48 and Alaska in their RV, "Esmeralda." His gentle way and laugh-out-loud wit endeared him to all who knew him. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and one of the best friends you could have. Bill was an active member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish and a community volunteer for Meals-On-Wheels of Western Broome and the Fresh Air Fund. The family will receive friends on Friday at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 701 W. Main St., Endicott, from 9:30 to 11 AM when there will follow a mass of Christian burial. Interment will commence at Riverhurst Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy are kindly accepted in Bill's honor to Yesteryears Senior Program, Wayne Street, Endwell, NY; or Meals-On-Wheels of Western Broome, 701 W. Main St., Endicott, NY.