James Hanley, III

James I. “Jim” Hanley, III, age 78, passed away December 6, 2022, in Gulfport surrounded by his family. He was a native of Brooklyn, NY, and grew up in Freeport, NY.

He was preceded in death by his father, James I. Hanley, II of Freeport, NY, and his mother, Margaret Reilly Hanley of Long Beach, MS.

Jim is survived by his daughter, Kelley Margaret Hanley McKnight (Homer) of Diamondhead, MS; siblings, Patrick Hanley (Margaret) of Sebastopol, CA, Denis Hanley, Sr. of Lake Whitney, TX, Kenny Hanley (Assunsao) of Walnut Creek, CA, Ellen Hanley of Seattle, WA, Michael Hanley of Reno, NV, Mary Hanley (Linda) of San Rafael, CA, Kathleen Hanley of Reno, NV; grandchildren, Blakeney Margaret Latusek (Kevin) of Baton Rouge, LA, Trey Hanley McKnight (Ruthie) of Diamondhead, MS; and great grandchildren, Owen John McKnight and Drew Alexander McKnight.

Jim graduated grade school in 1958 from Our Holy Redeemer in Freeport, NY, and graduated in 1962 from Judge Memorial High School in Salt Lake City, Utah. He earned his Associate of Arts degree from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1963 until 1967. In 1964, he earned his United States Marine Corps Jump Wings and the National Defense Service Medal in 1966.

He was the Assistant Chief of Police for the Long Beach Police Department from 1968-1974. He was the Assistant Chief of Enforcement for the MS Dept. of Wildlife Conservation, Bureau of Marine Resources from 1974-1986. From 2009-2017, he served as an investigator for the Mississippi Public Commission. In 1986, he started Hanley Investigative Services and continued to work until the present.

Jim was one of a kind. He was a great storyteller with a sharp mind and a keen sense of humor. He loved telling tales of growing up in New York and was proud of his Irish heritage. Jim loved a good bathrobe, a hot cup of coffee, cooking, and sitting on his deck. He was strong willed, tough, resilient, and a good man to have on your side. Most importantly, he was a proud father and grandfather. He loved his family and took pride in being the eldest of 8 children.

He was a life member of VFW Post 3937.

The family would like to give special thanks to the 5th floor ICU doctors and nurses at Memorial Hospital in Gulfport, MS, and to Fathers Paddy Mockler and “Cuddy” O’Connell for all of their care and compassion during this time.

In lieu of flowers, you can make donations in his memory to VFW Post 3937, 213 Klondyke Road, Long Beach, MS 39560 or Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church Bereavement Ministry, 9062 Kiln Delise Road, Pass Christian, MS 39571.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, December 12, 2022, at 10:00 am at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Pass Christian, with visitation beginning at 8:30 am. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery at Rotten Bayou.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, 9113 Kiln Delisle Rd., Pass Christian is serving the family. Condolences may be offered at www.riemannfamily.com.