Don L. Hanni III, 71, of Youngstown, passed away Tuesday October 16, 2018, after an extended illness.
Don was born Oct. 11, 1947, on the East Side of Youngstown, the son of Don Jr. and Leila (Roberts) Hanni and was a lifelong area resident.
Don was a proud 1965 graduate of Ursuline High School where he was the center on the 1964 City Series Championship football team. He attended the Naval Academy Preparatory School, The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Chaminade University--Hawaii, and finally received his bachelor's degree from Youngstown State University where he was a member of the Nu Sigma Tau (Sigma Tau Gamma) fraternity.
Don was a Union Organizer, Congressional Aid for Congressman Chuck Carney, and Highway Superintendent for the Ohio Department of Transportation. He retired from O.D.O.T. in 2010. Throughout his life, Don was committed to public service. He served on the Youngstown-Warren Port Authority Board as well as four terms on the Youngstown City School Board of Education. He was a proud member of Sacred Heart Church. Don was a founder of the North County Democratic Club. He also enjoyed hosting his own local radio show, “The Talk of The Town”. He was a member of the Saint David Society and N.O.R.M.L.
Don was a boisterous character who lived life to the fullest and on his terms. He was a taxi cab driver in Hawaii and a Woodstock attendee. He subscribed to Jimmy Buffet’s notion that “If we couldn’t laugh, we would all go insane.”
Don had a special devotion to his family, friends and his roots from the old East Side. Many of the family’s happiest memories are those spent with Don entertaining around his swimming pool on Bears Den Rd. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife Rhonda; his children Rachel (Kam) of Cleveland, Don IV (Hanna) of Indiana, PA; step-children Jenna and Anthony Billet, grandchildren Iris and Sebastian; his siblings Robin (Anna), Keith (Mary Kathleen), Mark, Heidi, Holly (Dino), and Dru (Megan); Great-Aunt Mary Jane Sakankra; many nieces and nephews, cousins, extended family, golfing buddies, and so many more who enjoyed plenty of laughs and good times with “the Big Kahuna” over the years.
Don was preceded in death by his parents and many lifelong friends.
Friends and family may call from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. prior to the 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial to be held at St. Angela Merici Parish (formerly Sacred Heart Church) 397 S. Jackson Street in Youngstown on Monday October 22, 2018.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the professional care of the Rossi Brothers & Lellio Funeral Home 4442 South Ave, Youngstown, OH 44512. Family and friends may visit the Book of Memories at www.rossifunerals.com to view this tribute and send condolences to Don’s family.

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