JAMES JOSEPH PATRICK HANIFEN
– ANTIGONISH
August 8, 1915 – December 17,
2021
It is with a heavy heart that we
announce the passing of Jim Hanifen, age 106.
He was the last surviving member
of his immediate family, the end of an era.
The only son of Tom and Laura
(Walsh) Hanifen, he became quite a legend in the Hanifen family as
well as the community at large – because of his age and
quick wit, but also because of his strength, integrity, generosity,
and his many accomplishments over so many
years.
After the death of his father in
1935 he had to quit StFX University to take over the running of the
family farm in Cloverville. While doing that, he picked up
the keen talent for plumbing, which later evolved into the long
standing, reputable business of Silver & Hanifen
Ltd. His faith was all-important to him, and he served at
many funerals carrying the cross, as well as St. Ninian’s
Parish Council. He was a long-time Trustee of UA Local 244
Plumbers Union Pension and Welfare Plans and was instrumental in the
installation of the plumbing and heating systems at Bethany and the RK
MacDonald Nursing Home, as well as many schools, churches, and plants
across the province. He was a 4th
Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and a Lions Club
member. His last honour just a week before his passing was
lighting the tree for the Lights of Love Ceremony at the RK.
He successfully passed his final driving exam at the age of
103. He loved his Irish roots and a good game of cards and
insisted that a good drink of rum could cure almost
anything.
Heartfelt thanks to the loving
and compassionate care of the Tanglewood Staff. You touched
our hearts beyond words.
He is survived by his daughters
Colleen Hanifen and Martha Durant; granddaughters, Lisa (White)
Schliwa and Karen White; great-grandchildren, Bailey, Ryan, Daniel,
Alex, Elizabeth, and Jacob; and many nieces and
nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife
Pat, the love of his life for 72 years; his sisters, Jeannette,
Marguerite, and Florence; his grandsons, Shawn and Peter;
sister-in-law, Marie; and brothers-in-law, Bill, Tom, Larry, and
Everett.
There will be no public
visitation, and a funeral Mass will be held Tuesday at 11:00am in St.
Ninian Cathedral, Antigonish, with a maximum capacity of 150
people. Valid proof of vaccination and photo ID are
required, and masks are mandatory. Reverend Daniel MacLennan
presiding. The service will be streamed live on the funeral
home website.
In Memoriam, donations to RK Mac
Donald Nursing Home Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, Halifax
Division, or Charity of Choice appreciated.
Funeral arrangements are under
the direction of C.L. Curry Funeral Home, Antigonish. Online
condolences: www.clcurry.com
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of James J Jim Hanifen 1915 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Antigonish, Province: Nova Scotia