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Bernard E. "Bernie" Hanley

By Joshua Smith

Batavia - Bernard E. "Bernie" Hanley, age 84, of Batavia, died peacefully on May 7, 2020 at the home of his daughter while under the care of Hospice and his loving family. Bernie was born on February 9, 1936 in Fulton, New York, a son of the late Laurence and Mary (Welch) Hanley.

He was a graduate of Batavia High School; served his country honorably with the US Army during the Korean War and was a longtime member of Resurrection Parish (St. Joseph’s). He was well known in the harness horse racing circuit as an owner/trainer for many years, having purchased his first horse, a pacer named Chief Maynard. He also raced Mac's Miss Mary, Irish Dancer A, Overnight Guy, and several others during his career.

Most would remember Bernie and his wife Mary Ann as the owners and operators of Hanley’s Restaurant just across the street from Batavia Downs and quickly became the "horseman's hangout" after races. After retirement, the Hanley's moved South to enjoy the sun for close to thirty years before moving back to Batavia to be closer to family. While in Florida Bernie was a member of the Deland Amvets Post #13 and the Deland Elks Lodge #1463 along with the Glenn S. Loomis American Legion Post #332 in Batavia. He will be remembered as a hard-working man who loved his family deeply.  

Bernie is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Mary Ann (Musshafen) Hanley of Batavia; children, Patrick (Carol) Hanley of Alabama, Elsie (Greg) Lee of Batavia and Dr. Greg (Angela) Hanley of Tennessee; sister-in-law, Mary Hanley of Akron; 10 cherished grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews.

His brother, the late Larry Hanley has since passed away.

Family and friends are invited to attend Bernie's Mass of Christian Burial on July 10, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Resurrection Parish - St. Joseph's Church, 303 East Main Street in Batavia. Burial with military honors will follow in Grand View Cemetery in Batavia. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his memory are suggested to HomeCare & Hospice, 26 Liberty Street, Batavia, New York 14020 or at http://www.homecare-hospice.org.

Arrangements for Bernie were entrusted to the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 403 East Main Street in Batavia. Please leave a condolence, share a story, or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

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