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Celebrating the life of

Jerome "Jerry" Richard Hanley

Passed away on October 11, 2019

Jerome

Jerome Richard Hanley, loving husband and father of three, passed away on October 11, 2019 after two years of bravely battling complications from a stroke. Jerry was lovingly adopted from The Cradle, in Chicago, IL by James R. Hanley and Pauline Lowry of Perry, NY. He attended Kinderhook High School and graduated from The Milne School in Albany (’53). Jerry went on to Brown University (’57) and the Yale School of Drama (’60) where he met his wife of 59 years Ann Elizabeth Truslow. They were married in 1960. He served for two years in the US Army. After his service, Jerry joined the faculty of Dartmouth College and then SUNY Albany as a Professor of Theater. Jerry and Ann raised their family in Albany, NY, and retired to Skidaway Island, Savannah GA in 1996.

Jerry was a lover of the arts in all forms. His passion for theater never waned, and he was deeply involved in the works of the Empire Theater in Savannah. He directed his favorite play, Our Town, as the first of several productions at the Methodist Church. He was an accomplished singer and enjoyed being a member of the church choir in Albany and in Savannah. Literature and poetry were especially dear to him, and Jerry was never without a book. Music, from opera to jazz, musical theater to pop, was a constant companion. A history buff as well, Jerry had a keen interest in the Civil War. He spent many years researching the topic and visiting numerous sites. Whatever interest Jerry had, he dug into it deeply and fully.

Jerry is survived by his wife Ann; brothers Joe, John, Chap and sister, Mary; daughters Jennifer, Deborah and Kate, their spouses, and four grandchildren.

A celebration of life is planned on October 27 at 3:00pm at The Marshes. An interment will be in Albany, NY later this fall.

The family would like to thank his caregivers at The Oaks. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to The Scholarship Fund, a tax-exempt fund providing scholarship grants to employees of The Marshes of Skidaway Island. Checks may be made payable to SHALSI (Skidaway Health and Living Services) and designated Scholarship Fund. Please mail to Lorna Carswell, Accounting, The Marshes of Skidaway Island, 95 Skidaway Island Park Rd., Savannah, GA  31411.

SHARE YOUR CONDOLENCES

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GUEST BOOK

Dear Ann and family, I am deeply saddened to hear of Jerry's passing. My fondest memories of my time at SUNYA theater are linked forever with Jerry and the friendship we struck up when we realized he and my mother were classmates at Milne. He was a wonderful director and a kind and interesting man, and I enjoyed our conversations. I am sorry I lost touch after your move to Savannah. It is gratifying to read about Jerry's involvement in your community; I would expect nothing less. Please know that you are in my thoughts. With sincere sympathy, Deborah Sperry Ineson

- Deborah Sperry Ineson, The Woodlands, TX

Dear Ann and Family, Bobby and I learned with sorrow of Jerry's death though we knew he had been struggling with the effects of stroke. I think we rendezvoused with Ann and Jerry in Savannah once. But our fondest memories are of the shared Greek trip--Ann's triumph over the bridge snobs and some wry comments Jerry made about the performances aboard ship on skit night. Also memorable was Jerry's role as Duncan in a University performance of Macbeth. Jerry in his role dispatched early, of course, and probably a good thing, Macbeth being a burly biker who wore studded leather and proceeded with his sequel executions with excessive zeal. Such memories are, we know, only snippets from an extraordinarily rich life. Our thoughts are with you. Gene and Bobby

- Eugene Garber, Albany, New York

Ann and family: it seems like only yesterday we were chatting with Jerry over the side-yard fence in Albany, or playing golf in our summer league at Capital Hills each Monday afternoon. Though its been a while since you moved South, we will always remember Jerry with great fondness. Wishing you all peace and comfort at this difficult time: Tom & Lynn

- Tom & Lynn, Albany, NY

Ann dear, I am so sorry to hear of Jerry, but sure that he is at peace now. I like to think that he is meeting with Jarka and they are both discussing theatre, especially theatre as they both worked in it here at Albany. And although we will always miss our dear departed husbands, we will have such beautiful memories of them always. My dearest condolences to you and your family. Mot sincerely, Grayce Burian

- , ,

Ann, our sympathies to you and your family. You have many good years to look back on. Cherish those memories. Lee and Lorraine Alligood

- Lee and Lorraine Alligood, Savannah, Ga

My sympathy to Ann, Kate, and the rest of the Hanley family. I never had the opportunity to meet Jerry but know I would have been fond of him seeing the great regard those of you I have met had for him. Larry Noedel

- Larry Noedel, Bainbridge Island, WA

Ann Am so sorry to hear of Jerry’s passing. I know that you have many happy memories to help you through this difficult time. Deepest condolences to you and your family.

- Gerry Bilik, ,

Ann Am so sorry to hear of Jerry’s passing. I know that you have many happy memories to help you through this difficult time. Deepest condolences to you and your family.

- Gerry Bilik, ,

Dear Ann and family, I am deeply saddened to hear of Jerry's passing. My fondest memories of my time at SUNYA theater are linked forever with Jerry and the friendship we struck up when we realized he and my mother were classmates at Milne. He was a wonderful director and a kind and interesting man, and I enjoyed our conversations. I am sorry I lost touch after your move to Savannah. It is gratifying to read about Jerry's involvement in your community; I would expect nothing less. Please know that you are in my thoughts. With sincere sympathy, Deborah Sperry Ineson

- Deborah Sperry Ineson, The Woodlands, TX

Dear Ann and Family, Bobby and I learned with sorrow of Jerry's death though we knew he had been struggling with the effects of stroke. I think we rendezvoused with Ann and Jerry in Savannah once. But our fondest memories are of the shared Greek trip--Ann's triumph over the bridge snobs and some wry comments Jerry made about the performances aboard ship on skit night. Also memorable was Jerry's role as Duncan in a University performance of Macbeth. Jerry in his role dispatched early, of course, and probably a good thing, Macbeth being a burly biker who wore studded leather and proceeded with his sequel executions with excessive zeal. Such memories are, we know, only snippets from an extraordinarily rich life. Our thoughts are with you. Gene and Bobby

- Eugene Garber, Albany, New York

Ann and family: it seems like only yesterday we were chatting with Jerry over the side-yard fence in Albany, or playing golf in our summer league at Capital Hills each Monday afternoon. Though its been a while since you moved South, we will always remember Jerry with great fondness. Wishing you all peace and comfort at this difficult time: Tom & Lynn

- Tom & Lynn, Albany, NY

Ann dear, I am so sorry to hear of Jerry, but sure that he is at peace now. I like to think that he is meeting with Jarka and they are both discussing theatre, especially theatre as they both worked in it here at Albany. And although we will always miss our dear departed husbands, we will have such beautiful memories of them always. My dearest condolences to you and your family. Mot sincerely, Grayce Burian

- , ,

Ann, our sympathies to you and your family. You have many good years to look back on. Cherish those memories. Lee and Lorraine Alligood

- Lee and Lorraine Alligood, Savannah, Ga

My sympathy to Ann, Kate, and the rest of the Hanley family. I never had the opportunity to meet Jerry but know I would have been fond of him seeing the great regard those of you I have met had for him. Larry Noedel

- Larry Noedel, Bainbridge Island, WA

Ann Am so sorry to hear of Jerry’s passing. I know that you have many happy memories to help you through this difficult time. Deepest condolences to you and your family.

- Gerry Bilik, ,

Ann Am so sorry to hear of Jerry’s passing. I know that you have many happy memories to help you through this difficult time. Deepest condolences to you and your family.

- Gerry Bilik, ,

Services under the direction of:

Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200