John L. Hankins Jr., 78, Orchid
John L. Hankins Jr., 78, of Orchid and Hopwood, Pa., lived his life with a unique energy and optimism that made an indelible impact on everyone he touched. On Aug. 25, 2017, his fight against an unrelenting cancer ended, at the same time Heaven, no doubt, was infused with a newfound spirit of caring, love and laughter.
Born in Pittsburgh, the son of the late John L Hankins Sr. and Margaret Miller Hankins, John grew up in Uniontown, Pa., attended Allegheny College and was married to the love of his life, Carol P. Hankins, for 55 years.
Together they raised, as he so proudly declared, “three perfect children,” John, Holly and Amy, who together blessed them with six grandchildren, Sarah, Clare, Cramer, Caroline, Ellie and Pearse, ranging in age from 15 to 23. John is survived also by his sisters, Nancy Vernon (James) and Margaret Curry (Phillip) and their families.
John was the owner of Fayette Fuel, Inc. and LawnKare Landscaping in Uniontown Pa., served as President of the Pittsburgh Petroleum Association and was an active member of the Pennsylvania Petroleum Association Board, the Uniontown Hospital Board, and the Uniontown Health Resources Board.
He proudly served on the Laurel Highlands School Board of Directors, the Uniontown Motor Club Board and the Fayette County Development Council of Uniontown. He was also a lifelong member of the Uniontown Country Club and member of the Trinity Presbyterian Church.
Retiring to Orchid, John continued generously sharing his time while serving as Golf Chairman on the Board of Governors at Orchid Island Golf and Beach Club and was a member of The Community Church of Vero Beach.
His passion for golf and the Pittsburgh Steelers was rivaled only by his genuine caring and love for his wife and family and the people he met along the wonderful path that was his life.
A Visitation and Remembrance will be held at the Ferguson Funeral Home located at 80 Morgantown Street, Uniontown, PA 15401 on Friday Sept. 15 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. A private burial will be held at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Uniontown, Pa., the following day on Saturday, Sept. 16.
A Celebration of Life will be held at The Community Church of Vero Beach located at 1901 23rd Street, Vero Beach, on Saturday Oct. 14 at 1:30 p.m. A Reception will follow at Orchid Island Golf and Beach Club located at 1 Beachside Drive, Orchid, FL 32963.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Uniontown Public Library, 24 Jefferson Street, Uniontown, PA 15401 or Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 79 West Fayette Street, Uniontown, PA 15401 or The Community Church of Vero Beach, 1901 23rd Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
