Raymond C. Hanley

Southbury - Raymond C. Hanley, 90, died peacefully on March 4, 2025 at Griffin Hospital in Derby, CT. He was the husband of Barbara (Santasiere) Hanley.

Raymond was born on September 6, 1934 in Waterbury, son of the late Joseph T. and Georgina (Englehart) Hanley. He was a retired telephone/communications specialist.

Immediately upon graduating from Naugatuck High School, class of ’52, Raymond enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He trained and became an electrician, and entered the fleet aboard the USS Bennington as an Electrician’s Mate. He was involved in the rescue of his shipmates during the disastrous explosion of May 26, 1954. Raymond then shipped out aboard the USS Midway to complete his service in the Navy. He was involved in NATO operations above the arctic circle, and was very proud to be admitted into the Realm of Poseidon as a Shellback, having sailed below the equator. Upon leaving the Navy, Raymond entered the U.S. Coast Guard, serving out of Cape May, New Jersey. He was involved in the blockade of Cuba during the missile crisis.

Upon leaving the Coast Guard, Raymond began working for Sullivan Cable, then was hired by Southern New England Telephone Company. He retired from that company after thirty-five years, having been engaged in various capacities, such as a central circuit tech, lineman, installer/repairman and lastly electronic modem systems.

Raymond loved the outdoors and spent time with his two sons hunting, fishing, canoeing, riding horses, and exploring. He loved to share his knowledge and activities with his many friends. He taught thousands of people the basics of these activities and worked for several decades as an instructor for the Boy Scouts, the NRA, and the State of Connecticut DEP. His adventures took him far and wide, hunting and fishing in such places as Alaska, Montana, Ontario, Alabama, New Mexico, and South Africa. Raymond worked as a horse wrangler and cook for a Montana outfitter and spent all of one elk season in a high tent spike camp. He loved to be with his grandchildren hunting, fishing, horseback or canoeing. In his later years, he loved hearing of and encouraging them in their adventures, and their work or schooling.

Raymond served for many decades on various clubs, committees, and organizations promoting the outdoors and the shooting sports. He was a founding member of the High Rock Shooting Association and served for many years as its president. He worked tirelessly in Hartford to promote outdoorsmen’s rights and the shooting sports. He was a proud member of the Seymour Fish and Game, and could often be found there, shooting skeet and trap and taking everyone’s coins in games of setback. It’s a wonder that anyone would still play with him.

Raymond was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and loyal friend.

In addition to his wife, Raymond is survived by his sons, Robert Hanley, Raymond “John” Hanley and his wife, Nancy Camp, and step-son, Ben Rodgers; his brothers, Joseph Hanley and his wife, Alice of Naugatuck, and Robert Hanley Newport, RI. He will also be missed by his beloved grandchildren, Sharon Muir, Rebecca Hanley, Andrew Hanley, and Lara Hanley. In addition to his parents, Ray was predeceased by his brothers, William Fleming, James Fleming, James Hanley, and John Hanley, and his sisters, Germaine Hanley, Jane Howson and Betty Baker.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 10:00 A.M. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 318 Church Street, Naugatuck. Burial in St. James Cemetery will be held at a later date. Visitation will be held on Monday, March 10, 2025 from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M at the Buckmiller Ford Mengacci Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Avenue, Naugatuck. In lieu of flowers, donations in Raymond’s name can be made to a charity of donor’s choice.