Jim "Fonz" Hanley hung up his baseball cleats on August 13, 2022 at 90 years young.

It's believed he was born with a baseball bat in hand and a toothpick in his mouth on May 4, 1932 to Elizabeth and John Hanley. Jim was the oldest of 4 children which included his sister Betty Jean, brother Mick and the baby of the family, Junie.

Jim attended St. Lawerence Elementary, Boys Central and graduated from Riordan High School, in San Francisco. While in Butte, he played catcher on the American Legion Team including the State Championship team of 1949. Jim received a baseball scholarship to the University of San Francisco and then went on to play in Santa Barbara as part of the Brooklyn Dodgers organization. Even while in the army, Jim found his way to baseball playing for the US Army Fort Benning, GA team. He went on to play in the Semi-Pro leagues in the San Francisco-Oakland area from 1957-67. During this time, Jim became a father to Sheilah, Lorene, and Shawna.

Jim and family returned to Butte in 1967 and he went to work for the County. He and his first wife, Delores, went on to expand their family to include Greg, and Gary.

From 1967-70 Jim was a Player-Coach and Manager for the Butte Miners Union, Industrial League.  In 1974, he began wearing many hats for the Butte American Legion. He was the Coach (1974-77, 1985-90, 1992-94); Bus Driver (1978-2003); and Director of Baseball (1993-2003).

Jim had many accolades during his baseball career. Some of the highlights were being inducted into the Butte Sports Hall of Fame with his daughter Shawna, coaching his son Joe, helping over 20 players obtain college scholarships and/or play professional baseball and the 3 Legends Stadium named in honor of him, Jack Whelan and Jack Cavanaugh.

It was during this time Jim met and married Sharon McGuinn on April 15, 1983. Between the 2 of them, they formed their own baseball team with each entering the marriage with 5 children.  Together they enjoyed family most of all. Spending time traveling to visit their children, grand children, and great grand children.  They took great pride in all of them and their individual accomplishments.  Jim and Sharon were happily married for 33 years until Sharon passed away in 2017.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife Sharon, father John, mother Elizabeth, sister Betty Jean Lash, brother Mick, grandson Ryan Kautz, son-in-law Rex Siegel, and step son-in-law Aaron Nehls.

Jim is survived by his sister Junie (Joel) Barry; daughters Sheilah (Greg) Kautz, Lorene Hanley, Shawna (Lori) Hanley; sons Greg (Joani) Hanley, Gary (Jenifer) Hanley; brother-in-law Ed Lash; sister-in-law Sherry Hanley; step sons Tom (Amy) McGuinn, Danny McGuinn, Joe (Jenny) McGuinn; step daughters Cindy (Darryl) Luoma, Christine McGuinn Nehls and 2 baseball teams of grandchildren.

Friends may call on Saturday, August 20, 2022, after 10:00 am in St. Ann's Catholic Church.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am.  A further celebration of Jim's life will be held at Knights of Columbus at 12:30.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Butte American Legion Baseball Program. PO Box 3592 or can also be made via their website www.Buttelegionbb.com or Venmo@buttlegionbb.