Senate Resolution No. 3697

BY: Senator BONACIC

MOURNING the death of James J. Hanson, Jr., family
man, distinguished veteran, volunteer firefighter,
and devoted member of his community

WHEREAS, The quality and character of life in this Nation, and the
great State of New York, is reflective of the purposeful lives and good
works of those patriotic and civic-minded community members who dedicate
their lives and careers to the service of others; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to publicly mourn the death
of those prominent citizens whose lifework and purposeful endeavors have
served to enrich and enhance the quality and character of life for
others in their community and the great State of New York; and

WHEREAS, It is with feelings of great sorrow and deepest regret that
this Legislative Body records the passing of James J. Hanson, Jr.,
family man, distinguished veteran, volunteer firefighter, and devoted
member of his community; and

WHEREAS, James J. Hanson, Jr. of Yulan, New York, died on Saturday,
December 30, 2017, at the age of 36; and

WHEREAS, James J. Hanson, Jr., affectionately known to his friends
and family as JJ, was born on March 28, 1981, in Port Jervis, New York,
to James J. Hanson and Doreen (Kreidell) Hanson; and

WHEREAS, JJ Hanson, Jr. and his three sisters were raised in Yulan,
where he attended Eldred Central School; after graduating, he earned his
bachelor's degrees in both political science and international studies
from Wilkes University in 2003; and

WHEREAS, Later, JJ Hanson, Jr. furthered his education by obtaining
a Masters in Public Administration with a specialization in public
management and finance from Rockefeller College at the State University
of New York (SUNY) at Albany; and

WHEREAS, Following college, JJ Hanson, Jr. was accepted to the
United States Marine Corps (USMC) Officer Candidate School; he proudly
served his country as a USMC Infantry Officer, assigned to Echo Company,
2nd Battalion, 5th Marines; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his four years of meritorious service, Officer
Hanson, Jr. was deployed with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit to the
Pacific region where he served as a Platoon Commander, and to Ar Ramadi
Iraq as a Company Executive Officer as part of the "Surge" in the 2006
effort to defend the new Iraqi government in the Al Anbar province of
Iraq; JJ completed his service with the USMC in 2007, having achieved
the rank of Captain; and

WHEREAS, JJ Hanson, Jr. then began his esteemed career with New York
State Governor's Office, where he worked for former Governors Elliot
Spitzer and David Paterson; he held the position of Regional Director in
the Hudson Valley Region of New York supporting the Governor's budget

and public policy initiatives and working with community leaders to
elevate regional public policy concerns to the Governor's Office; and

WHEREAS, Under Governor Paterson, JJ Hanson, Jr. managed the
regional affairs program for all of New York State outside of New York
City; and

WHEREAS, JJ Hanson, Jr. then joined the administration of Ulster
County Executive Michael P. Hein; in his role as both Deputy Budget
Director and Budget Director/Deputy County Executive, he successfully
managed numerous important projects for the County Executive; and

WHEREAS, In 2013, JJ Hanson, Jr. decided to make a change in his
life, and moved to Florida, where he worked for Avesta Communities, a
property management and investment company; and

WHEREAS, After being diagnosed with Glioblastoma multiforme (GM) in
2014, JJ Hanson, Jr. chose to remain strong and began the fight of his
life; his positive energy and attitude served as an inspiration to
people all over the country; and

WHEREAS, In 2016, JJ Hanson, Jr. established the Can't Hurt Steel
Community Foundation, a part of the Community Foundation of Orange and
Sullivan Counties; he was also a member of the Voices Against Brain
Cancer Board of Directors, and held the title of President of the
Patients' Rights Action Fund, where he diligently fought for
compassionate care for patients facing disease and disability; and

WHEREAS, Even on his bad days, JJ Hanson, Jr. picked himself up and
diligently worked to better his beloved community as a member of several
local organizations including Beaverbrook Rod and Gun Club, the Sullivan
County Charter Commission, Knights of Columbus, and the Boys and Girls
Club of Orange and Sullivan Counties; and

WHEREAS, Always available to lend a helping hand to his neighbors,
JJ Hanson, Jr. was a volunteer firefighter with the Yulan Fire
Department, Stone Ridge Fire Department, and Pensacola Fire Department;
and

WHEREAS, JJ Hanson, Jr. truly lived his life to the fullest; he
loved the warmth of the sun on his face when he opened his eyes in the
morning, and marveled at the sparkle of the stars before he went to bed
at night; he loved his family, his faith and his community with his
heart and soul; and

WHEREAS, A role model and inspiration for all, JJ Hanson, Jr. is
survived by his loving wife and best friend, Kristen Ann; two sons,
James and Lucas; his parents James and Doreen Hanson, Sr.; three
sisters, Meg (Keith) Blaut, Katie (Joe) Wilcox, and Shannon; mother and
father-in-law, Barbara and Andrew Klufas; one brother-in-law, Nick
(Kayla) Klufas; two nieces, Keegan and Mary; two nephews, Keith Patrick
and Logan; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins as well as a legion of
friends, fellow firefighters and veterans who will long cherish his
memory; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, JJ Hanson, Jr. leaves behind a legacy which will long endure

the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all he
served and befriended; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of James J. Hanson, Jr., family man, distinguished
veteran, volunteer firefighter, and devoted member of his community; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of James J. Hanson, Jr.