Sept 30, 2007 ... One of our personal heroes, retired Tacoma Fire Dept Battalion Chief, Jim Hannity passed away.
Chief Hannity played a pivotal role in the success of the HeroToHero.US effort. He is the man behind the send off for our annual (inter)national tour honoring our fallen and wounded.
Honoring Chief Hannity, this year's mascot was named for him. Our "Chief" has been pinned by more than 50 departments across North America. At the end of his tour of duty, he will be retired for permanent display with the Tacoma Fire Dept.
We will also continue our send off tribute "Hannity's Crossing", to honor Chief Hannity. We appreciate so much, all that this Air Force Vet, and Firefighter, did for the cause of troop morale. He was, and is, our Hero.
The following was sent to us this week. As if the Chief's passing was not sad enough, his sister, Donna, died just 2 weeks earlier. Both succumbed to cancer. Both were much loved and will be greatly missed.
James Patrick Hannity: Jim passed away Sunday, September 30, 2007, with dignity after a long battle with cancer. Jim was born in Tacoma on April 24, 1950. He graduated from Lincoln High of Tacoma. Jim served his country for four years in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. After his discharge from the service, he attended Bates Vocational for Fire Service Training, and was hired by the Tacoma Fire Department in 1974. Jim promoted through the ranks and retired a Battalion Chief with the department. He had 32 years of dedicated service with the department before he had to retire because of his illness. Though Jim was dedicated to the Fire Department his passion was the people he worked with. Jim always spoke of how proud he was of his "Guys". Preceding Jim in death are his parents Thomas V. Hannity, mother Dorothy E. Hannity, sister, Donna M. Hannity and nephew, Thomas K. Hannity. Jim is survived by his brothers Vincent (Janet) Hannity, David (Donna) Hannity and sister, Kerry (Jon) Guite, nieces, Corrie, Catherine, and Margaret Mary and nephew David. A special thanks to Jim's closest friends, Kirsten Alexander, Mike Curley, Jim & Kim May, Tom Zurfluh, Jeff Hook, Jim Scott and Steve Elmer, and the Tacoma Fire Department for their compassion, and concern for our brother. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made in Jim's name to the Tacoma Fire Department Honor Guard and the Department Chaplain Wilbey Casey. Service will be held on Monday, October 8, 2007 at 11:00 a.m., at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, followed by a graveside service which will be held at Mountain View Memorial Park. A reception will follow at the Fire Fighters Hall on 50th and K to honor Jim's life. (From The [Tacoma] News Tribune, Thursday, 4 October, 2007.)
Donna Marie Hannity 1/22/1952 - 9/15/2007 On September 15, 2007, Donna passed away with grace and dignity, following a brief battle with cancer. Born in Tacoma, WA, Donna graduated from St. Leo High School in Tacoma. She spent the last 15 years living in Newberg, OR, where she found much happiness. Donna's smile, laughter and quick wit drew people to her. Wherever she went, she made new friends and kept them for a lifetime. Donna was preceded in death by her parents Thomas and Dorothy Hannity and her nephew Thomas Kimball Hannity. She will be cherished always by her brothers Vincent E. (Janet) Hannity, David (Donna) Hannity, James Hannity, and her sister Kerry (Jon) Guite, loved by her nieces Margaret Mary, Corrie Ann, and Catherine, and her nephew David Jr., missed by her best friend Shirley Benoit and her mentor and friend Heather Lawn, and forever inspire the little soul that gave Donna unconditional love, Deondra Oldham. The family would like to thank St. Vincent Hospital Hospice of Oregon for their wonderful help and support during our sister's last few months. A celebration of her life will be held Friday, October 5, 2007 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church at 2:00 in Tacoma. The [Tacoma] News Tribune, Sunday, 30 September, 2007. 
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