Steven A Hanich

Stephen Anthony Hanich, of Orange Beach, age 78, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, November 27th, 2020, surrounded by his loved ones at home. We are sad and brokenhearted to lose this wonderful man in our lives, but we rejoice that he no longer is suffering from the dreaded disease, ALS, that held his body hostage for 2 years. Steve was born in Steelton, PA to Mary and Stephen Hanich on June 28th, 1942, where he grew up surrounded by his mom and dad, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, and sister. He loved telling stories of his immigrant grandparents who all traveled to this country from Croatia for a better life. The strong family values of love of family and devotion of country never left his heart. Steve spent his life in the retail and wholesale business, always reaching for bigger and better ideas. When he moved south to Birmingham, Alabama, he married his love, Vivian, and enjoyed 30 years of marriage. They lived in High Point, NC for eight years working in the wholesale furniture industry, before returning to Birmingham, and finally moving to Orange Beach shortly after Hurricane Ivan, 16 years ago. Retirement brought on new opportunities of church service and ministry. He provided supported mission work in Nicaragua and Haiti and in his hometown of Orange Beach, AL, where he organized and managed Orange Beach Helping Hands Ministries. Over the past 11 years he coordinated the Christmas Day Dinner feeding shut-ins and working people in the Orange Beach and Gulf Shores area. He loved the City of Orange Beach and enjoyed the beauty of island life on the Gulf Coast, making many friends everywhere he went in the process. Steve was an active member of First Baptist Gulf Shores, and enjoyed singing and praising God in the Celebration Choir and was a member of the Fisherman Bible Fellowship Class. Steve is survived by his wife, Vivian Leigh Hanich, his sons, David Hanich (Laurie), of Newark, DE, and Michael Hanich of Orange Beach, AL, and stepchildren Melissa Montgomery (Danny) of Gardendale, AL, and Will Smith of Anniston, AL. Grandchildren include Matt and Katie Hanich of Newark, DE, Meagan, Mandy, and Davis Montgomery of Gardendale, AL, and Ami, Amber, and Joni Smith of Anniston, AL. His sister, Jane Polomski, resides in Middletown, PA. Steve was an inspiration to everyone he met, especially in the last 2 years of his life. He was always upbeat and positive and spoke of his great faith in God and the special journey God had for him to travel. His wish was for his life to be a witness of God’s Goodness and Mercy. He is now experiencing for himself the blessings of Eternity with his Heavenly Father, only because of the sacrifice of Jesus and the gift of Salvation. Hallelujah! He enjoyed football, and counted the days all summer till the Crimson Tide kicked off, and traveled to watch his son, Michael, play for the Huntingdon College Hawks. Special thanks go to the City of Orange Beach and OBFD for the many “pickups” they assisted with. Thank you to Dr. Robert Kobelja at USA South in Mobile for his compassion during the testing and diagnosis and treatments…..and thank you dear people of SAAD Hospice. Tonya, and Jessica, and Wanda, and Neil treated him with love and dignity and became members of the Hanich family. The church family of FBGS ministered to Steve’s needs and showed the true meaning of Christian brothers and sisters. A Celebration of Life will be held in January at First Baptist Gulf Shores, when we will sing and rejoice together!

Steven A Hanich

June 28, 1942 - November 27, 2020

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

Steven A Hanich

June 28, 1942 - November 27, 2020

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

Obituary Notification