Curtis A. Hannah, Jr.

Curtis Albert Hannah Jr., 79, died Wednesday, February 27, 2020 at Amita Health Resurrection Medical Center in Chicago at the conclusion of a long chronic illness.

Beloved husband of Arlene (Streckfusz) Hannah; loving father of Jennifer (John) Blais, Melinda (Tim) Fitch and Chad (Jolanda) Hannah;  cherished grandfather of Joseph (Makoto) Daniszewski, Jessalyn (Andrew) Frank, Shealyn Blais, John Blais, Quentin Blais, Paige Fitch, Keira Fitch, Baileigh Hannah, Nathaniel Hannah, and Abigail Hannah.  He was the fond great grandfather of Finnegan Douglas Frank; dear brother of Mary Cooper and Jim (Laverne) Hannah, and many close friends.

Born in Jenny Lind, Arkansas, on November 10, 1940 to the son of Curtis Albert Sr. and Frances (Vodisek) Hannah, he moved with his family to the Humboldt Park Neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois in 1943 at three years of age.

After graduating from Tuley High School in 1958, he enlisted in the United States Navy, and following basic training was assigned to the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) as a Photographer’s Mate (PH). As a “Plank Owner”, or part of the commissioning crew, of the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, he participated in the warship’s first “shakedown” cruise and virgin voyage from Norfolk, Virginia around Cape Horn to San Diego, CA. he was honorably discharged as a Petty Officer Third Class on November 9, 1961. He was blessed with the opportunity of re-uniting with his former shipmates in the final de-commissioning “Tiger Cruise” in 2008.

After serving with the Navy, Mr. Hannah returned to Chicago and established his career as a lithographer in the printing industry, where he worked for 35 years before retiring in 1999. During this period, he established lasting friendships, and married his wife, Arlene (Steckfusz) at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church on September 18, 1965. They started their lives together in Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood before moving to Norridge in 1970. Here they lived and raised their three children.

Mr. Hannah had a passion for the outdoors. He loved nature, hiking, bird watching, and working in his yard. He had a passion for photography, the latest electronics, and Genealogy.

Mr. Hannah had a strong work ethic.  He was honest, hardworking, courageous, and devoted to his family; values that he instilled in his children. His warmth, humor, and fun nature are traits that have instilled lasting memories on all who knew him; memories that will be treasured forever.

Visitation services will be held Sunday, March 1, 2020 at Rago Brothers Funeral Home. The funeral Mass will be held on March 2, 2020 at Divine Savior Catholic Church at 9:30 am. A funeral service will be held following the Mass at St Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery chapel, with private burial.