Obituary of Joseph-R. Hannah

Hannah, Joseph R. CLIFTON PARK Joseph R. "Joe" Hannah, 78, of Clifton Park, peacefully entered into eternal life at his residence on Friday, November 29, 2013. Born in Flint, Mich., he was the son of the late James F. and Freda Clore Hannah and beloved husband of the late Dorothy Marie Mahoney Hannah. He is survived by his "sweetheart," Judy L. Jurgenson of Clifton Park. Father of Debra Surbrook and her husband Christopher of Alpharetta, Ga. Cherished and loving grandfather of Samuel Joseph, Julia Christine, Emma Marie and Zachary Russell. Brother of John B. (Joanne), M.D. of Owasso, Mich. and the late James F. Hannah, also survived by several nieces and nephews as well as Judy's children, Adam and Abby. After graduating Birch Run High School in 1953, he proudly served his country as a specialist third class in the U.S. Army and was awarded the Army of Occupation (Germany), Sharpshooter (Carbine), Marksman (Rifle) and Good Conduct Medals. He continued his education at Michigan State University, receiving his B.A. in electrical engineering and his M.A. from Florida Institute of Technology. He retired from a distinguished career at Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory in Niskayuna and had previously been employed in the development of various NASA's Apollo Projects. In his retirement he enjoyed traveling to Alaska to fish, Sedona, Ariz. to hike and hunting in Michigan where he recently returned home empty handed. He spent countless days nurturing his yard and many gardens. Inside, he enjoyed cooking, canning with his sweetheart and an occasional game of spider solitaire. He was especially proud of his musically gifted grandchildren, violinists, Samuel and Julia and cellists' Emma and Zachery. He was also a member of the GE Elfunn Society. Funeral will be held on Thursday morning at 8:15 from the Gordon C. Emerick Funeral Home, 1550 Route 9, Clifton Park, NY, 12065, thence to St. Mary's Church, Crescent, 86 Church Hill Road, Waterford, NY, 12188 where at 9 a.m. the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Those desiring, may make memorial contributions to the ;(function() { var adKeyValue = 't='; adKeyValue+= escape('clio=ACS'); adKeyValue += escape('&cobrand=timesunion-albany'); adKeyValue += escape('&linktext=American Cancer Society'); adKeyValue += escape('&linkurl=https://www.cancer.org/involved/donate/donateonlinenow/Legacy/index?dn=mem&fn=Joseph&ln=Hannah'); adKeyValue += escape('&fn=Joseph'); adKeyValue += escape('&ln=Hannah'); var adClkUrl = 'http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?iu=/423686928/prod/obit-aff/obit-standard/clio-inline-1&' + adKeyValue + '&sz=1x1&c=620579038'; var adImpUrl = 'http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ad?iu=/423686928/prod/obit-aff/obit-standard/clio-inline-1&' + adKeyValue + '&sz=1x1&c=620579038'; document.write("<a href='" + adClkUrl + "' target=_blank>American Cancer Society<" + 'img' + " src='" + adImpUrl + "' style='width=1px; height=1px; display:inline;' /></a>"); }());, 260 Osborne Road, Loudonville, NY 12211, in memory of Joseph R. Hannah. Joe was a true friend to all who will greatly be missed. "In the end, only kindness counts."