James Hawes

James E. Hawes, age 83, of Erie, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family, on July 6, 2017 at Niagara Village.  He was born June 15, 1934, son of the late James W. Hawes and Henrietta Metzler-Hawes Donnell.
Jim was a 1952 graduate of Strong Vincent High School and as a young man, worked with his step-father at Lake Shore/Nash Automotive.  At that time, Jim would take his lunch breaks at Jimmy’s Diner, where he met the love of his life, Phyllis Vencenyo, whom he married in 1954.  Jim was a licensed insurance agent with Prudential Insurance from 1959 until his retirement in 1991. 
He was an avid hunter, and enjoyed hunting large game in Canada, Colorado and Wyoming as well as at their family camp in PA, “The Farm,” where many card games were played and good meals were shared with friends for many years.  After retiring, he and Phyllis were snowbirds, residing in North Fort Myers, FL with dear friends from Erie for 22 years.  He was a good family man and loved spoiling his grandchildren.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Phyllis Vencenyo Hawes, his three children; James G. Hawes, Gregory G. Hawes and Christianne M. Brooks and her husband Mike, all of Erie; and   three grandchildren: Trevor Hawes, and Emily and Michaela Brooks.  He is further survived by two brothers Thomas Hawes and his wife Jackie and John Donnell and his wife Barb, many nieces and nephews and his sister-in-law Shirley Irish and her husband Dave.                                               The family is so grateful to all of Jim's wonderful caregivers Debbie, Kylie, Vickie, Carol, Sherrie and the doctors and staff at Millcreek Community Hospital 
Friends may call on the family on Sunday July 9th, at Burton Funeral Home and Crematory, 602 W. 10th St. from 2 – 4pm and 6-8pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday July10th at  1:30 pm., at Our Lady of Peace Church, 2401 West 38th Street. 
Memorials may be made to the Humane Society, 2407 Zimmerly Rd, Erie, PA 16506.  Send condolences at www.Burtonfuneralhome.com.