Obituary of James W. Hanna

James W. Hanna, age 81 of Williamstown, formerly of Blackwood and Camden, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on July 22, 2026.  

On August 18, 1944, James Hanna was born in a farm town outside of Lancaster, PA with one blinking light.  Yet his star shined brightest in cities with many lights Philadelphia, Atlantic City & Camden. He was Jim sometimes James… more often in his youth he was Jimmy. It was Jimmy the impeccably dressed teenager who strutted through the Fairview Square in Camden wearing a tailored suit, perfectly creased pants, shined shoes and tilted matching felt hat where he met his lifetime love & beautiful wife of 60 years, Angela. His taste for clothing continued as his 47 year career in the women's garment industry involved making some of the finest dresses & pant suits for celebrities, movie stars and the likes of Nancy Reagan as well as Rosalyyn Carter at Albert Nipon in Philadelphia. 

Jim was a fighter whether sticking up for his friends in Fairview, teaching his children to stand up for what is right, or battling almost beating the debilitating disease of Parkinson's in his final days.  

Music, specifically R&B/soul music was his medicine. On any given Sunday morning you could see Jim listening and slow dancing with Angela to James Brown, Al Green, The Whispers, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, The Spinners, O'Jays & Frank Sinatra. He taught his children about the "birds & the bees" through a carefully curated soundtrack including "Cowboys To Girls" by The Intruders. Jim entered heaven peacefully surrounded by his family at his Cooper Hospital bedside listening to those same Sunday soul singers. Jimmy appreciated cars from his first hunter green '53 Pontiac convertible and would then go on to own many other Oldsmobiles, Chevys and Cadillacs including his prized cherry red Cadillac CTS-V.  He kept his cars meticulous washing and waxing all of them in his driveway in Blackwood or back in the day under one of the then unfinished 676 bridge/overpasses in Camden. 

Atlantic City was his second home whether it was playing the slots at the casinos, relaxing on the beach, watching sunrises & sunsets with his kids and grandchildren, swimming at The Seashore Club pool, attending boxing matches at The Trop, eating pizza at Tony's Baltimore Grill, cheesesteaks on the famous boardwalk, or reenergizing at one of the casino buffets. 

Jim was a loving husband, loyal friend, conscientious coworker, guiding light to his grandchildren, devoted Dad, always a provider for his family, and a ferocious fighter battling hard the last few years of his life against Parkinsons & prostate cancer. Throughout his 81 years, Jim was never one for half stepping but rather strutting with swagger. So it is no surprise in his last hour he danced his way into heaven singing The Whisper's "(Let's Go) All The Way". We all lost a piece of ourselves on July 22nd 2026 but such a large part of Jim Hanna is embedded in us & embroidered on us forever. 

Beloved husband of 60 years of Angela (nee Notarfrancesco); Devoted father of Louis J., Lisa A. and Jaime M. Hanna; Loving grandfather of Sydney, Simone and Cole; Dear brother of Mark Crouse, Pat Jubb and the late Jane Davis (Tom) and brother in law of Lois (nee Notarfrancesco) Smith (Carl) and Renae (nee Notarfrancesco) Azzara.  He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.  He is predeceased by his mother Ida (nee Hanna) and stepfather George McBride.

Relatives and friends are invited to the Visitation and Funeral on Wednesday, July 29 from 6 to 8 PM and on Thursday, July 30 from 9:15 to 10:15 AM at the Falco/Caruso & Leonard Pennsauken Funeral Home.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM at the Catholic Community of Christ Our Light, 402 Kings Highway North in Cherry Hill.  Entombment will follow at Locustwood Memorial Park in Cherry Hill.

Memorial donations may be made in his name to the Parkinson's Foundation NJ & PA Chapter, Attn: Donor Services, 5757 Waterford District Drive, Suite 310, Miami, FL 33126 -OR- to Heart of Camden, 1840 Broadway, Camden, NJ 08104.