Paul Stephen Hackney

Paul Stephen Hackney
July 2, 1947 - September 30, 2024
The Wind Beneath our Wings
Paul aka "Pitchinhack" passed away peacefully Monday morning surrounded by his loving family.
Born and raised in Olney, Philadelphia, PA. Paul is the son of the late John "Jack" and Rosalie Hackney (nee McCloskey).
Paul is survived by his children Sean C. Hackney, Heather R. Gullifer (Dennis Sr.), Bill "Bubby" Campbell. As well as his lifelong childhood best friends Frank Helstab and Charles "Wokie" Previtera.
Preceded in death by his daughter Shannon M. Hackney, grandson Brandon M. Felix, former wife Donna M. Hackney, siblings Stephen Hackney, John Hackney Jr. and sister Rosemary Keenan (Lou).
Loving Poppy to A'Brianna M. Felix, Matthew J. Keeley, Dennis M. Gullifer Jr., Declan P. Gullifer and Shannon M. Gullifer, and loving Great-grand Poppy to Brandon Michael Felix.
Paul attended Incarnation of our Lord class of 1961, Cardinal Dougherty High School class of 1965. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business at Textiles University in 1969, and then his Master's degree obtained at Saint Joe's University with an MBA in Business Management. Paul earned his Master's degree all while working full time, raising 3 children and doing what he loved, coaching. He continued on to Widener University Law school for 2 years in the early eighties.
Paul started his professional career as a Senior buyer for the purchasing department at Septa in 1979. He retired from Septa in 2005 and moved on to Management at Amtrak retiring in 2016.
He coached numerous football, basketball, and baseball teams through the Olney Eagles organization, Saint Helena's CYO and his beloved alma mater Cardinal Dougherty High School.
Paul was humble and an incredibly selfless Irishman throughout his life. He was a well-respected mentor and a hero to many. No matter how busy things got, he always made time for the people he cared about. He showed us that family always comes first – no matter what. Everyone who knew him knew how proud he was of his family, especially his grandchildren and also the children he coached over the years. He always taught us to be leaders and a rock for those less fortunate.
Paul was known for his pop-up keg parties to celebrate his son's CYO basketball wins.
On one occasion, Paul threw a keg party at his house on American St. for the Huddle bars softball team win but didn't tell his wife Donna. He invited the whole bar, including a priest, back to the house. Sparks flew after that. Donna gave that priest a piece of her mind for drinking, she let him know how much of a disgrace he was and kicked everyone out of the house. Paul never lived that one down.
Paul had a propensity to neglect his own personal responsibilities yet would constantly help his family and friends. A great example of this is when he would allow unpaid Septa parking tickets to accumulate. Mind you, he worked for Septa from 1979-2005 as a manager in the purchasing department.
Eventually the parking authority would catch up with him by applying a boot on his wheel to prevent him from using his car.
As the luck of the Irish would have it, Paul had a friend that had "a tool". He would call his friend and that very good friend would drop what he was doing and drive right over to Wyoming Ave. and cut the boot off the car. This became common practice between Paul, his friend Tom Murphy and the Septa parking authority. If there's an FBI most wanted list for Septa's unpaid parking tickets, Paul Hackney is on that list.
He will be remembered for a lot of great things he has accomplished in his life, but one thing will truly stand out, he will always be one of the most genuine, caring human beings anyone could meet. Paul will forever be loved and missed by his family and friends. He has gained his wings and is reunited with his daughter Shannon, grandson Brandon and childhood sweetheart Donna.
Family and friends are invited to Paul's Life Celebration on Saturday, October 5, 2024 from 8:30am until 10:30am at the Freed-Givnish Life Celebration Home, 124 N. Easton Road, Glenside, PA, 19038. His funeral mass will begin at 11:00am at St. Luke the Evangelist Church, 2316 Fairhill Ave, Glenside, PA 19038. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Paul's memory can be made to the Cardinal Dougherty Soar at the Shore committee 11630 Caroline Rd #3, Philadelphia, PA 19154. https://northeasttimes.com/2024/09/30/family-friends-recall-giving-nature-of-cd-coach-paul-hackney/