Paul Hanko passed into a better life on Friday, June 2, after a health decline over the past few years.
He will be missed by many who have been blessed by his love and care over the years. Paul lived a life marked by a deep love and appreciation of family and friends. He unfailingly greeted family, friends and strangers with a warm smile and sparkle in his eyes.
Paul was born to Ursula Drocton Hanko and Stephen Andrew Hanko Jr. in Crucible, Pa. He graduated from Big Creek High School in War, after his family moved to follow the coal mines. After graduation, he started at West Virginia University. Paul was drafted to serve in the Army. He was stationed at Fort Wainwright and Fort Greely in Alaska. Following two years in the service, he returned to marry Katherine Louise Hill in 1970 and earned his degree in civil engineering from WVU in 1971.
Living in Morgantown, he received his professional engineering license in 1976. Children were soon welcomed into the family with Sarah in 1976 and Ben in 1978. Paul worked for the West Virginia Department of Transportation, General Paving Co., and WVU Facilities Management, where he led projects renovating the Coliseum, Wise Library, building of the Student Recreation Center, as well as the “Flying WV” water tower.
He was a faithful member of Spruce Street United Methodist Church for many years, serving as Sunday School teacher and on several committees, particularly Trustees. As a member of the United Methodist Men, Paul organized the charity golf tournament to benefit the Boy Scouts of America Circuit Rider Camporee. For his leadership, he received the UMM Man of the Year Award and was inducted into BSA’s Order of the Arrow.
In 2021, Paul and Kathy moved south to North Carolina, where they became members of Stokesdale United Methodist Church. He enjoyed spending time with family, learning history, playing golf and sports of all kinds, traveling, meeting new people and learning about the local culture.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Ursula Rozsa.
Paul is survived by his wife of 52 years, Kathy, now residing in Kernersville, N.C.; Sarah and her husband, Ed McKinney, live close by with their children, Isaac, Brigid and Eve; Ben, his wife Michelle, and their children, Kaitlyn, Mason and Michael, live in Berkeley Heights, N.J. He is also survived by siblings, Don (Karen) Hanko in Waynesburg, Pa., Dan Hanko in North Fort Myers, Fla., Candice Sue (Bill) Frazier of New Castle, Pa., and Debbie (Mike) Butler of Elwood City, Pa.; sisters-in-law Bunny (Marshall) Jarrett and Sue Warner. Many loving nieces and nephews are left to cherish his memory as well.
Memorial contributions can be given to Spruce St. United Methodist Church, 386 Spruce St., Morgantown, WV 26505 or Stokesdale United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 38, Stokesdale, NC 27357.
The funeral services were held Monday, June 5, 2023, at Stokesdale United Methodist Church. A graveside burial will be held at West Virginia National Cemetery, Grafton, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 13, with VFW Post 9916 Honor Guard.
