John R. “Jack” Hanny, Jr.
John “Jack” Hanny, III
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of John R. Hanny III, “Jack” to those who knew him—a beloved father, grandfather, brother, restaurateur, author, chef, legislator, and friend to so many.
Jack Hanny, 87, passed away peacefully on August 14, 2026. Born on August 9, 1939, Jack was the son of the late John and Audrey Hanny Jr. Jack is lovingly remembered by his children, Michelle Colello, Lisa Hanny, Jane Hughes, Jennifer Hanny, Kristen Hanny, and John “Jason” R. Hanny IV; devoted grandfather of Gregory Hanny, Eugene Colello, Adam (Kate) Chubbuck, Elizabeth Hughes, Jason (Kaitlyn) Chubbuck, Jackie Colello, Sarah Hughes, Jillian Chubbuck, and Faith Ann Chubbuck; and great-grandfather to twins Colton and Grayson Chubbuck; dearest brother of Bud G. (Pat) Hanny; and cherished uncle of Tricia (David) Browne. He was predeceased by his brother, Jim Hanny.
Jack’s life was marked by culinary achievement, public service, entrepreneurship, and writing. He served as chef at the Little White House Restaurant and as a visiting chef under René Verdon at the White House during the Johnson administration. He represented Erie County’s 14th District as a county legislator from 1972 to 1973. In 1976, he purchased The Eagle House, which he owned and operated. Jack was the author of Secrets of the White House Kitchens, published in 2001 and again in 2010; and political thriller fiction Asleep at the Wheel, published in 2002; Justified, published in 2017; and Final Option, published in 2018. He was also a member of Le Chaîne des Rôtisseurs.
Jack lived a remarkable and colorful life filled with family, food, politics, writing, history, and an extraordinary number of stories that could only belong to him. Born into a Western New York family, Jack followed his family’s tradition of public service and community involvement. Jack became known not simply for food, but for the stories, history, hospitality, and people that surrounded it. Jack’s experience at the White House eventually became the book, Secrets from the White House Kitchens. Jack preserved recipes, stories, and memories from the presidential kitchens, allowing readers to experience a more personal side of American history through the food that brought people together. Yet for all of his professional accomplishments, Jack’s greatest legacy was his family.
To those who knew him professionally, he may be remembered as a legislator, chef, restaurateur, or author; but to his family, he was simply Dad, Grandpa Jack, brother, and Jack. He was the person behind the stories—the person who had lived a life most people could only write about, and the person who could sit down at a table and somehow turn an ordinary meal into a memory. His grandchildren will remember not only the incredible things he accomplished, but the man behind them: his wild stories, his laughter, his big personality, and the family history he carried with him. His legacy will live on not only in the books he wrote and the restaurants and kitchens he touched, but in the family, he leaves behind. While his passing leaves an enormous emptiness for those who loved him, the stories he gave us, the lives he touched, and the memories he created will remain. His table may be quiet now, but the stories will continue.
A celebration of Jack’s life will be held at The Eagle House on Saturday, August 22, from noon to 3:00 p.m. Family and friends are invited to gather in remembrance of a life filled with accomplishment, creativity, and devotion to those he loved. Arrangements by the DIETRICH FUNERAL HOMES, INC., 2480 Kensington Ave., Amherst. May he rest peacefully, and may his remarkable life never be forgotten.