Born in Norwalk, CT, June 30, 1951, he was the son of William B. Hanley Jr. and Dorothy Pollard Hanley. He grew up in the Georgetown section of Wilton and was a graduate of Wilton High School and Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
James had resided in Danbury since 1987. He was employed for 40 years to the day at the Hour Publishing Co., publishers of The Norwalk Hour, later just The Hour. Rising through ranks from a general assignment reporter, he was the lead page designer in the sports department for the final 10 years before retirement.
James loved to travel and had set foot in all 48 of the contiguous United States. He was also a diehard auto racing fan and had visited 593 tracks under the rules of the track chaser group and had been listed in the top 30 of the group standings.
In addition to his wife, James is survived by one brother, William B. Hanley III of Salem, MA; stepdaughter, Stephanie Doyle, and her wife, Arleigh Cole Doyle; a grandson, Nathan Cole Teed, as well as many cousins.
Friends will be received on Friday, July 17, 2026, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St. Danbury, CT.
A Celebration of Life will be from 1:00pm - 5:00pm on Saturday, August 1, 2026 at Michael's Tap Room, 37 Stony Hill Rd., Bethel, CT.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Praxair Cancer Center at Danbury Hospital, c/o Danbury Hospital Development Fund, 24 Hospital Ave., Danbury, CT 06810 or Regional Hospice of Western CT, 30 Milestone Rd., Danbury, CT 06810.
