Brett Edward Hanley

Brett Edward Hanley, aged 34, passed away unexpectedly on July 31, 2025. He was born with Down syndrome and raised in North Andover, MA. Brett had a fun personality, generous nature and a gift for making others smile and laugh, leaving a lasting impact on all who crossed his path.

Our Brettie lived a happy and fulfilling life participating in sports such as karate and horseback riding with his brother, baseball and basketball with his North Andover friends, bowling, recreation events with The Arc of GHN, and Explorer’s Club events with Opportunity Works.

He was an avid reader, writer and expert in word search puzzles. He enjoyed reading recipes and making delicious meals in his crockpot, as well as helping to teach many friends the joy of safe cooking and healthy eating. He learned how to knit with needles and looms from his knitting group at the North Andover library and taught his knitting skills to friends at his day program. Over the years, they donated many scarfs to support various agencies, the homeless and local giving trees. He was a member of “My Own Voice” of The Treble Chorus of New England and enjoyed singing and performing at Christmas and special events around town, as well as a memorable performance at Fenway Park. He learned to love an array of musical genres and how to play musical instruments like the drums, piano, guitar and violin from his close friends and instructor at The Real School of Music. Our family was the audience to many concerts during his Friday night sleepovers which were always followed by our signature Saturday morning brunches at The Periwinkle Café (“The Winkle”). He loved summer camp weeks and getaway weekends at Grotonwood Camp with his friends and devoted camp counsellors. And simply, he always found great joy in just hanging out with friends while listening to music and watching favorite movies.

Brett is survived by his loving parents, Edward and Diane Hanley of North Andover, MA; and brother, Patrick Hanley and his partner, Aiko Jones of North Andover, MA. He is also survived by his special uncles and aunts, Joseph and Maureen Geller of Topsfield, MA; Lee and Carol Kelly of Wareham, MA; Richard and Debra Hanley of Plymouth, MA; Pamela Baptista of Tyngsboro, MA; and Joseph Baptista of Belmont, MA; as well as a host of cousins and great cousins. He is predeceased by his grandparents who adored him, Barbara and James Ogden, aka Mimi and Grandpa Jim, and Edward and Kathrine Hanley, aka Poppi and Nane; and Black Lab, Rio.

Brett was supported for many years with generosity, kindness and enrichment at his daily program, Opportunity Works, and summer camp, Grotonwood Camp. Therefore, in his memory, please consider making a donation to either one of these wonderful organizations. Donations to Opportunity Works may be made online or by check. Opportunity Works, 10 Opportunity Way, Newburyport, MA 01950. Donations to Grotonwood Camp may be made online or by check. Grotonwood Camp & Conference Center, 167 Prescott Street, Groton, MA 01450.

Celebration of Brett's Life will be held in early October, at Smolak Farms in North Andover, a place near and dear to Brett and his family.

Arrangements by Driscoll Funeral Home, Haverhill. For guestbook, visit www.driscollcares.com. 

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