Jesse W. Hankey

Jesse W. Hankey, 76, of State Road in Great Barrington, MA died on January 25, 2025.

A native and lifelong resident of Great Barrington, MA he was born April 18, 1948, the son of Jesse and Helen (Keefner) Hankey.  He attended local schools and was a graduate of the former Searles High School in Great Barrington.

A veteran of Vietnam, Jesse enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on September 27, 1966 and quickly rose to the rank of Corporal.  He spent approximately 13 months as a machine gun operator called a “first gunner” before being honorably discharged on September 26, 1968.

After his tour of duty, Jesse studied to be an electrician. He did that work for a bit then moved on to Lee Lime where he spent the next 24 years.  During that time, he and his family owned The Village Restaurant in Chatham, NY.

Jesse loved to golf, fish and hunt.  He loved motorcycles and later got a stock car that he raced at the Lebanon Valley Dragway.  He also loved bowling and spent two nights a week at Cove Bowling.

Jesse is survived by his wife of 34 years, Eleanor (Cronk),  sons Thomas and wife Sheila (Latura), Michael and wife Brittany (Simms), grandson Tommy Jr (T2), granddaughter Hailey, siblings Larry and wife Linda (Betros),  Juanita and husband Kevin O’Rourke, niece Shana O’Rourke Deveaux and husband Alex, nephews Blaine, Keane and Lucian Decker, sister in law Theresa (Cronk) Decker and husband John.

He was predeceased by his father Jesse and mother Helen (Keefner) and brother Gary, many aunts, uncles and cousins in the Hankey, Keefner, Race, Hamling, and Davis families.

The family of Jesse W. Hankey will receive friends on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 from 2:00 pm-4:00 pm and 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm and on Thursday, February 6, 2025 from 9:00 am – 11:00 am followed by the funeral service at Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Great Barrington, MA.

Donations in memory of Jesse may be made to the Murphy-Leary American Legion Post #298 in Housatonic. To send remembrances to his family go to www.finnertyandstevens.com