Nathaniel Joseph Hanley, beloved son, brother
Nathaniel Joseph Hanley, a beloved son, brother and friend to many, died Palm Sunday, April 10, 2022. ”Nathaniel,” “Nate” “Nathan,” “Natty,” was loved by many, and shone goodness toward all who encountered him. In his all-too-short life of 33 years, he experienced the trials and sacrifices of many lifetimes on behalf of his family and country.
Natty was born Dec. 2, 1988, in Wilmington, the first child of teacher and naval officer parents who were college sweethearts. He was intelligent and precocious from the very beginning. To wit, by the age of 7, he somehow magically accumulated an incredible Pokémon deck through tournaments without ever spending a penny on cards.
Nathaniel attended many schools, including Greenbrier Academy where his mother taught, Maison Dieu Academy, Scotland, Our Lady of Lourdes and Holy Cross Academies, and Governor’s School, Virginia, St. Thomas More Academy, Magnolia, Villanova University, Army Airborne School, Army Ranger Indoctrination Program (RIP) and Combat EMT Certification Program.
Nathaniel left Villanova University after one semester to enlist in the Army and was asked to become an Army Ranger. He was a patriot who deployed twice to Iraq between 2009 and 2010 as a special operator challenged with the most difficult missions. His incredible precociousness served him well in becoming a superior and versatile warrior. Nate was a workingman's renaissance man: a voracious reader, a foodie, experimental cook, bartender, artist who designed his own tattoos, carpenter, metal worker, machinist, roller coaster mechanic and teacher of the arts of survival, grappling and loyalty to his brothers. All these experiences contributed to him moving into a happier post-war life. Nate was a beautiful human being who fought the good fight on earth, and now rests at ease with his fellow warrior brothers in God’s inestimable love.
Nathaniel is survived by his parents: Joseph and Frances Hanley; his brothers: William Hanley (Danielle) and Sean Hanley (Aimie); his grandparents: Alfred and Loretta Hanley and Maureen Tigani; his nieces, Teresa, Lizzy and Josie; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who miss him dearly, and treasure the time they spent with him.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at noon, Thursday, April 21, at St. Jude the Apostle Church, 152 Tulip Drive, Lewes. A visitation will be held prior to the Mass from 10 to 11 a.m., at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Hwy., Lewes, where friends may also visit from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, April 20. Interment will follow the Mass at 2 p.m., at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 26669 Patriots Way, Millsboro.
Mask wearing is required and social distancing must be observed by all service attendees and participants.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to any charity of choice dedicated to helping veterans.
Visit Nathaniel’s Life Memorial webpage and sign his virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
