James Hanna

SAN PEDRO, Belize - James "Jim" Hanna died March 31, 2013.

He was born July 11, 1954, in Amityville, N.Y., the son of Alberta Durkin and Marcus Alonzo Hanna III.

He grew up in Elyria, Ohio, and attended St. Mary's Grade School. He went on to attend St. Edward's High School in Cleveland, Ohio, while living at St. Anthony's Home for Boys on the west side. At 14 years of age, he ran away from the boys' home to Weathersfield, Vt., where he lived with the Hennessy family.

He worked for the towns of Weathersfield, Bellows Falls and various construction companies before starting his own business. He owned and operated American Construction Company out of Marlborough, N.H. Among his projects were the Bear Right Plaza in Concord, N.H., The Bedford Village Inn in Bedford, N.H., and the Moose Lodge in Springfield, Vt.

He enjoyed motorcycles and island life.

In 1995 he sold his business to his partner and moved to Belize. There he met and married Ana Wade, where he started a new construction business and bought a bar called The Pier Lounge.

Survivors include his wife, Ana; a son, Forest Hanna; a daughter Daniela Luisa Hanna; stepsons Juan Mata and Christopher Conant; stepdaughters, Amy and Hilary Conant; three grandchildren; a sister Robin Slattery; and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held Friday, April 5, 2013, at the Roman Catholic Church in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize. Burial will be in the San Pedro cemetery. A reception will follow.