James A. Hanes

James A. Hanes “former Shinglehouse, Pa. resident”

BRISTOL, INDIANA---Mr. James A. “Jim” Hanes, Sr., 79, of Bristol, formerly of Shinglehouse, Pa., passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 25, 2021, at Goshen General Hospital, Goshen, following a brief illness.
Jim was born in Allegany, New York on Monday, January 5, 1942 to the late John and Doris (Hyatt) Hanes. On November 20, 1976 in Little Genesee, N.Y., he married Kay L Phillips, who passed away on November 29, 2016.
Jim served honorably as a lance corporal in the United States Marine Corps; most notably during the Cuban Missile Crisis, where Jim spent many, many months at sea onboard one of the blockade ships. Following the military, Jim returned to the states where he landed a job in New Jersey in a mechanic shop. He also spent 35 years as a tool and die maker at the Dresser-Rand Corporation in New York, which later became Ingersoll-Rand. Jim always had a knack for working with his hands and making or fixing things, but his real love was with woodworking, of which he possessed great talent. It seemed that Jim could always be found in his workshop taking on some type of project, which usually consisted of him building something for someone. In one instance, he made a two-dimensional bas-relief of a basset hound, named it Toby and set him up next to the fireplace. Jim would often brag that Toby was the best “dog” he ever had. Low maintenance, too. He also liked to garden, and although he maintained a small strawberry patch at home, he really liked to help out with his son’s “big boy” garden in their back yard.
Jim loved and lived his life to the fullest and allowed that sentiment to touch everyone he met. He never knew a stranger, and simply loved to be able to help folks with things. He was especially appreciated at the Bristol Fire Department, where he helped build training equipment, installed all the coded door locks and basically made sure the station didn’t blow away while the gang was out saving lives. His philosophy in life was simple: help others whenever you can; be nice and it’s God’s job do the judging, not yours. He loved deer, eagles and bears, and enjoyed listening to old-school and bluegrass country.
Surviving are his son, James A. “Jimmy” (Heather) Hanes, Jr. of Bristol; his grandchildren Cooper, Hunter and Ella Mae Hanes. He is also survived by a host of extended family and Pennsylvania-based relatives, a long list of good friends, work buddies, and even a long list of shady characters including one local pastor that he kind of liked but he never saw him do anything except for fishing.
In addition to his parents and wife, Jim was predeceased by a sister, Suzsebelle Williams,.
Family and friends may call from 2pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm on Friday, at the Virgil L Howard Funeral Home, 118 South Union Street, Shinglehouse, where funeral services will be held at 11am on Saturday, December 4, 2021, with the Pastor Chad E. Shaffer, of Bell Run Union Church, Shinglehouse, officiating. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Shinglehouse.
Members of the Potter County Honor Guard will accord military honors on Saturday.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
To express condolences or share a fond memory of Jim, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.