JAMES HARANZO
James J. Haranzo, 93, of Longboat Key, Florida, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family at his home in Darien, Connecticut on May 9, 2020 after a brief illness unrelated to Covid-19. Born in Bridgeport, Ohio on August 23, 1926, he was the son of Joseph and Anna Haranzo. He graduated from Central Catholic High School and served in the US Army during World War II. After the war he planned to pursue his lifelong dream of attending Notre Dame but the local Bishop prevailed upon him to join the inaugural class of what is now the Franciscan University of Steubenville. He ultimately fulfilled his dream by graduating from the University of Notre Dame Law School where he was co-editor of the Law Review. Upon graduation, he established a law practice in Wheeling, West Virginia where he practiced law for more than 60 years. In the early 1960’s he and two partners purchased Warwood Tool Company, a manufacturer of high quality hand tools, which was established in what was then Wheeling, Virginia in 1848. He later became sole owner and President until its sale to a local Wheeling family in 2015.
Haranzo was a dedicated civic and philanthropic leader in the Ohio Valley throughout his life. He proudly served as Commander of American Legion Post #1. He was Chairman of the Wheeling Human Rights Commission as well as a founding member of the Human Rights Commission of the State of West Virginia. He was founding board member of the Health Plan of Upper Ohio Valley and later served as its Chairman. He was appointed by Governor Hulett Smith to the Building Commission of the State of West Virginia which was charged with rebuilding the State Capitol in Charleston. He served as Mayor of the City of Wheeling from 1971-1975 and was instrumental in building what is now the Wesbanco Arena. He served as President of Catholic Charities in Wheeling, The Seeing Hand Association and the Community Foundation for the Blind. He also served as Chair of the Wesbanco Arena Board and the Wheeling Hall of Fame Board. He was a long-time member of the Fort Henry Club, Wheeling Country Club and The Allegheny Club.
Haranzo was most proud of his role as husband, father and grandfather. He married Kathleen O’Connor in 1954 and recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen, and his five children: Lisa Mayer (Alan) of Norwalk, CT, Mark Haranzo (Gilda) of Darien, CT, Laurie Raleigh (Christopher) of New Canaan, CT, Julie Kelley (Bryan) of Darien, and Ellen Brooks (Brian) of Darien. Most of all, he relished his role as “Pa” to his beloved grandchildren, Jeremy James Miner (Kristen), Caroline Kelley, Grant Miner, Blake Raleigh, Jacqueline Haranzo, Claire Kelley, William James Raleigh, James J. Haranzo II, Christian Haranzo, Elizabeth Kelley, Anna Raleigh, Collin Brooks, Andrew James Kelley, Connor James Brooks and Owen Brooks, all of whom are left with endless memories of their kind-hearted and fun-loving grandfather. He is also survived by his dear sisters, Joyce Robinson of Huntington, WV and Judith Mauck of Denver, CO. He was predeceased by his sister, Joann Stenger. He is also survived by his constant feline companion, Gracie.
Haranzo was a lifelong fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers as well as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He was an avid tennis player who played well into his 80’s and he loved to fish with his family, particularly at Seneca Lake and the Gulf of Mexico.
Burial will be private but a celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Inner-City Scholarship Fund (www.innercityscholarshipfund.org).