47.0°,
Light Drizzle Fog/Mist Robert ‘Lefty’ Hanon, 79
LCFD member for 53 years
Devoted to his neighbors and the Five Towns, Honorary Chief Robert “Lefty” Hanon was a member of the Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department for 53 years. He was born in New York City on May 5, 1936, and was a longtime resident of Inwood before moving to East Rockaway.He died as his son, Alex Hanon, held him in his arms, on Aug. 2 of liver cancer in Arizona. Hanon was 79. He was wearing his LCFD uniform.
Hanon touched the hearts of many and made a tremendous impact throughout his lifetime, his son said. From 1959 to 1963, he served in the U.S. Army and was stationed to guard the Berlin Wall. He was recognized for his commitment to the military before being honorably discharged. In the 1970s, he served as a Cub Scout leader.
Hanon made his mark in the Five Towns mainly through his volunteer efforts with the LCFD, where before becoming a honorary chief, he was a department captain at least four times. He was also a mentor to probationary firefighters.
Both his son and LCFD Commissioner Joseph Fitzgerald are in agreement that Hanon’s dedication to the Fire Department is what he will be remembered for. “There were times where he would run a mile away just to get on a fire truck and help.” said Fitzgerald. “He never missed a parade, a meeting, a golf outing...people were always asking, ‘Where’s Lefty?’ until he got there.”
The nickname “Lefty” was given to Hanon because he played competitive softball as a left-handed pitcher until the age of 70. He was often called “Brother Bean” out of endearment as well, since he was only 5-feet tall.
He worked as a custodian for the Lawrence School District for 34 years, assisted in coaching a community baseball team, and coached for the Inwood Buccaneers Athletic Club. Hanon was also very involved with the 12-step fellowship program, Gamblers Anonymous, and helped people conquer their addictions.
Hanon adopted two children and cared for two foster kids, and in addition to his son is survived by his daughter, Jeannine Gannon and son-in-law Chris Gannon; his daughter-in-law, Jill Hanon, and four grandchildren.
