John James Hanley

On September 3, 2022, John James "Handles" Hanley passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family. John was a loving son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend. He was born on April 15, 1991 in Norwalk, CT to Terry and Dianne Hanley. He grew up in Shelton, CT and moved to his parents' hometown of Westport to fulfill his high school education. John grew up playing football for Shelton Pop Warner and spent his summers in Westport working with his father playing in the dirt, learning how to run machines and as he grew older, found his passion in operating machinery of all types. His skills landed him a job as a heavy equipment operator with Burns Construction. He took great pride in his work while becoming a member of the Heavy Equipment Operators Local Union 478. John also loved spending time with his family on his father's boat and hanging around Longshore. He was a diehard New York Giants fan and loved going to Giant stadium every year to watch his favorite team. He was very smart, loved to talk about history and world issues and never shied away from a good debate on matters about which he cared deeply. John was the most charismatic guy and would give anyone the shirt off his back. His smile and charm lit up the room. He was always the life of the party. John is predeceased by his grandparents Vincent and Henrietta Hanley, and Martin Pugliese. His loving family & survivors include his mother Dianne and step father Craig; his father Terry and step mother Marcy, sisters Celeste, Noelle and Hailey; brother Shawn; brother in laws Rene and Luis; nieces Jocelyn, Eyda, and Stella; his best friends Jack and Matt; along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. The family will receive friends in the Harding Funeral Home 210 Post Road East, Westport, CT on Thursday September 8, 2022 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. Friends are invited to attend a funeral on Friday September 9, 2022 at 10:00 AM meeting directly at Assumption Church 98 Riverside Ave. Westport, CT for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in Assumption Cemetery 73 Greens Farms Road Westport, CT. Condolences for the family may be left on line at www.hardingfuneral.com. Contributions in memory of John in lieu of flowers may be made to a charity of choice.