LEWIS J. HANIFIN

Lewis J. Hanifin, age 72, of Fort Plain, passed away Sunday, October 24, 2010, at home with his family after a courageous 11 month battle with pancreatic cancer. Lewis was born on December 6, 1937 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Syracuse, NY, to Alma and Lewis Hanifin, Sr. He moved with his family to Fort Plain in 1951, and was a 1956 graduate of Fort Plain Central School. He married Dawn E. Littrell on October 5, 1962 at the church of St. Therese, Child of Jesus, in Fresno, CA. Lewis served with the United States Air Force from 1956 to 1959. He then worked for First Commercial Credit in Fresno, CA. Following that, he returned to Fort Plain to join the family business, Hanifin Pontiac-Buick-GMC Trucks, Inc., until 1998 when the business dissolved. He then worked for the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Rural/Metro Ambulance Service, and at Price Chopper, Palatine Bridge, until the onset of illness in 2009. Lew was a member of St. James Roman Catholic Church (now Our Lady of Hope), the Jaycee's, and Fort Plain Sports Booster Club. He was a member and former president of the Fort Plain Board of Education and Fort Plain Rotary Club. He was also a member of the National Automobile Dealers Association and the New York State Automobile Dealers Association. He proudly volunteered as an EMT for Mid-County Volunteer Ambulance Corp., and as a coach for Fort Plain Little League and Fort Plain Babe Ruth baseball. Lew was very proud of his Irish heritage. He was a loyal fan of the Boston Red Sox, New York Giants, Notre Dame football, and Fort Plain Hilltopper baseball. He was extremely proud of the fact that his sons and grandsons played for seven sectional championship teams and one NYS championship baseball team. He truly enjoyed watching his grandson play at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown and seeing his granddaughter perform Irish step dancing. He enjoyed skiing with his family in his younger years, was a World War II enthusiast, and loved the History Channel. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sons, Joseph and his wife, Bonnie, and Patrick and his wife, Jeannette, of Fort Plain; his daughter, Colleen Donnelly and her husband, Michael, of Cooperstown; six grandchildren, Daniel, Mark, Christopher and Andrew Hanifin, and Jack and Kate Donnelly. He also leaves his three sisters, Patsy and Frank Nelen, Dolly and Roger Ehle, and Ursie and Chuck Hage. Several in-laws, nephews, nieces, and cousins also survive. He was predeceased by his parents; and his daughter, Therese Dawn, in 1966. Visitation will take place from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 30, 2010 at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church, Reid St., Fort Plain. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will immediately follow with Fr. John Roos and Fr. Clark as officiants. A private burial will take place at a later date, at the convenience of the family. A sincere thank you is extended to Mountain Valley Hospice, Dr. Medhi and the Oncology staff at the Stratton VA Medical Center, and Dr. Neghm at Albany Medical Center. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to Mountain Valley Hospice, Fort Plain Fire Department, St. Johnsville Volunteer Ambulance, and Mid-County Volunteer Ambulance Corp. Arrangements are being handled by Ottman Funeral Home, Cherry Valley, NY.