Robert J. Hanel Jr.

Longtime Staten Islander Robert J. Hanel, Jr., 50, of Willowbrook, a former computer operator and an avid bowler who was inducted into the Staten Island Bowling Hall of Fame in 2010, died yesterday in Calvary Hospice of Lutheran Medical Center, Brooklyn, of cancer.

Born in Manhattan, he moved with his family to Stapleton when he was 2 years old and graduated from Curtis High School. He moved to Rosebank in 1975 and settled in Willowbrook in 1985.

Mr. Hanel worked for 27 years as a computer operator at First Investors Corp., Raritan, N.J. Due to illness, he stopped working in June of this year.

His passion for bowling developed when he was on the bowling team at Curtis. He frequently traveled and competed in bowling tournaments locally and nationwide, and in November 2010 was inducted into the Staten Island Bowling Hall of Fame for men’s superior performance.

Mr. Hanel enjoyed traveling and taking cruises to tropical islands with his wife, the former Doris Pinkston. He was a loving uncle to his two nephews.

He liked watching baseball, football and hockey and riding his bicycle. An avid New York Mets, New York Jets and New York Islanders fan, he held season tickets for all three teams.

“He was well-liked by everybody; no one ever had a bad word to say about him. And he fought his battle against cancer with dignity and hope,” said Doris, his wife of 26 years.

Also surviving is his mother, Ann Hanel.

The funeral service will be Monday at 9 a.m. in the Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners. Burial will be in Rowland Cemetery, Rowland, Pa.

Arrangements under the direction of Casey Funeral Home, Staten Island, NY.