Obituary of William F. Hanagan

William F. "Bill" Hanagan, 96 of Binghamton passed away Tuesday, March 29, 2016. He was predeceased by his wife Rita; his brothers, Jack and Robert and sisters, Helen and Kate. He is survived by his sister, Mary Whelan and his children, Suzanne (James) Miller, Michael (Annie) Hanagan, and John Hanagan, all of Binghamton, and Nancy (Larry) Henneberger, of Oakton, VA; grandchildren, Timothy (Kelly) Miller, of Endwell, Sean (Heather) Miller, of Kennebunk, ME, Daniel (Patricia) Miller, of Springfield, VA; great-grandchildren, Cassandra, Emily, and Megan Miller, of Endwell, Brenna and Camden Miller of Kennebunk, ME, Alexandra and Nicholas Rocha, of Springfield, VA; and several nieces and nephews. He was a member of the Church of Saints John and Andrew, Binghamton. As a revered member of "the Greatest Generation," Bill served his country in World War II, earning a Purple Heart for injuries sustained in heavy combat in snowbound terrain on Christmas night in 1944 in the Battle of the Bulge. After the war's end he was employed as a manager by the A&P Tea Company in several Binghamton store locations for 21 years, thereafter engaging in his own business of residential interior painting and wall papering in the Binghamton area. Bill dedicated his life to unselfish, compassionate service and sacrifices for his family, friends, and his community-at large, daily living the values of his Catholic faith and demonstrating how one goes about finding God in all things. On the occasion of his 95th birthday, Bill was honored by Pope Francis with an Apostolic blessing and a rosary blessed by the Pope. A Funeral Mass will be offered at the Church of Saints John and Andrew, Vestal Avenue, Binghamton, Monday at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City. The family will receive friends at the J.A. McCormack Funeral Home, 141 Main Street, Binghamton Sunday from 1-4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in memory of Bill may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105