Bernard Martin Hanley

Hanley, Bernard M., age 88, passed away on Thursday, November 27, 2014, in Dayton, OH. Prior to moving to Dayton in 2012 to be near his son and daughter-in-law, Mr. Hanley had lived his entire life in Indianapolis. Throughout his life he was engaged in family, friends and community.

Upon graduating from Washington High School in 1943 at the age of 17, he joined the Navy. He served on the USS Orestes in the South Pacific and survived a Japanese kamikaze attack. After the war, he joined the Indianapolis Fire Department, with his career culminating in service as Chief of the Fire Prevention and Arson Bureau. He was very active in the Firefighters Union, and after retiring from the Fire Department, he served in various positions with the AFL-CIO and Teamsters Union and with the State of Indiana OSHA supporting workers’ rights and safety, including a stint as President of the Central Labor Council. He was particularly proud of his contributions in developing the “Indiana Plan,” which assists minority workers in entering the building trades, and in working with then-Mayor Lugar in developing the Model Cities Program for Indianapolis.

Upon his return from the war, Mr. Hanley renewed his acquaintance with his next-door neighbor, Betty Smith, who at that time was a war widow with a young son, Lawrence. Betty and Bernard were married in 1947, and went on to have another son, Thomas, and daughter, Melissa, and many happy years together before Betty’s death in 1984.

Before World War II intervened Mr. Hanley played semi-professional baseball, and after the war, he continued his love of the game and other sports by coaching youth and amateur baseball and football. He particularly enjoyed watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren participate in the sports and activities that they enjoyed. He was a member of St. Christopher Catholic Church, the Indianapolis Firefighters Emerald Society, Teamsters Local 135 Retirees, and American Legion Post 500.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Catherine Daly Hanley; wife, Betty Hanley; parents-in-law, Lawrence and Helen Smith; three brothers, Francis, Daniel and Robert Hanley; and a daughter-in-law, Bonnie Shotts. Mr. Hanley is survived by three children and their spouses, Lawrence and Teresa Shotts of Katy, TX; Thomas and Irene Hanley of Dayton, OH, and Melissa Hanley Murphy and Richard Murphy of Scarborough, ME; a sister, Regina Hanley; four brothers, Richard, Joseph, David and Martin Hanley; six grandchildren; four great grandchildren; many “surrogate” children who were younger members of the Fire Department or friends of his children; many nieces and nephews; and many friends.

At his request private services will be held in Indianapolis. If desired, memorials may be made in memory of Bernard Hanley to: Indianapolis Firefighters Museum, 748 Massachusetts Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46204; or St. Christopher Catholic Church, 5301 W. Sixteenth St., Indianapolis, IN 46224. Online condolences may be directed to: www.tobiasfuneralhome.com

A gathering for family and friends in celebration of the life of Bernard Hanley will be held at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge, 1525 S. Shelby Street, Indianapolis, IN 46203 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Saturday, December 6, 2014.