CPT James David Hanna, Jr.

James David Hanna, Jr., 72, passed away unexpectedly on September 30, 2023. Jim was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Valentine’s Day in 1951 to James David Hanna, Sr. and Ruth M. Bott. 

Jim’s entrepreneurial endeavors began at the early age of 6 when he won a trip to Detroit for selling the most new subscriptions to the Daily News. By the age of 12, his pursuits expanded when he hassled his way into a job with a local produce huckster. On that route, he mastered his talent to capture an audience with his booming voice and perfected the art of being heard before he was ever seen. While attending St. George high school he pursued vocational training and was part of a group called the “Share Time Boys”. After high school he enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he traveled the world and developed his love for being out in the open sea. Upon his return, he shifted his attention to academics and enrolled in Community College of Allegheny County where he became an overachiever. Often bragging about the semester in which he completed 26 credits, he also became a sports announcer for basketball games, played college baseball, was president of the student government, and obtained recognition as “Student of the Year” in 1974. That same year, Jim transferred to Duquesne University on both an athletic and academic scholarship and joined the Army ROTC. He became a long-distance runner and competed for the school, even running in the Boston Marathon. He was a political science major and completed an internship under Senator John Heinz. Jim was Commuter Council president and an active member of the fraternity Alpha Phi Omega. At the “Freshman Transfer Mixer” on campus, is where he met his wife Pam. Upon graduation, Jim finished basic training at Ft. Bragg, NC and was then stationed at Ft. Dix, NJ. He was an Army Transportation Officer receiving many accolades. As a reserve officer, he went on to obtain his pilot’s license and advanced to the rank of Captain. 

His huckstering days came back full circle in 1981 when he purchased Walt’s Farm Market in East McKeesport which would become Hanna’s Produce. The storefront on Rt. 30 was originally a market, pizzeria, and deli but overtime morphed into a venue for seasonal items and was only one aspect of the business. After the downsizing of the steel industry, Jim shifted gears and traveled near and far becoming a staple produce vendor at many flea markets across the tri-state area. In all these business ventures, Jim included his entire family over four decades from his parents to his brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, wife, beloved children, grandchildren and many friends and neighbors. As much as he valued his personal accomplishments, his greatest achievement were his four children: Jackie, Jim, John, and Joe and sharing his breadth of knowledge and experience with all. 

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, James and Ruth M. (Bott) Hanna, Sr. and brother-in-law, Robert Packard. Jim is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Pamela J. (Daquino) Hanna; children Jaqueline, James III (Jaclyn), John, and Joseph; his beloved grandchildren Katherine, Anthony, Jolene, John Gino, and Isabella; three sisters Barbara Packard, Janine (Bill) Oleyar, and Mia (Dave) Campbell; one brother John (Bette) Hanna; brother-in-law Arthur (Barbara) Daquino, and sister-in-law Barbara (Alan) Hartman. He is also survived by many cherished nieces and nephews.

Arrangements

Friends and family will be received on Wednesday October 4, 2023 from 2 to 4 pm and 6 to 8 pm; Blessing Service at 7:30 pm . . .

James F. Kutch Funeral Homes and Crematory
433 Lincoln Highway
East McKeesport, PA 15035

Burial with full military honors Thursday October 5, 2023 at 10 am at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Bridgeville, PA.

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