James D. Hockenberry

Hockenberry, James D.

Age 85, of Upper St. Clair, formerly of East Pittsburgh, passed away on Monday, March 11, 2024 in his home.

James graduated from East Pittsburgh High School and joined the U.S. Navy at age 17. He proudly served his country in many parts of the world including Southeast Asia, California, and Panama City, followed by several years in the reserves. James attended Robert Morris University majoring in English Literature while working full-time as a police officer in East Pittsburgh. He was ultimately promoted to Allegheny County Detective. He then went on to work as an insurance adjustor for Allstate and spent several years as a steelworker for U.S. Steel. He became a writer for the steelworkers union which led him to a successful career with Interform Corporation. He retired at the age of 62.

James had a lifelong love of the outdoors, whether spending time in his cabin in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, or hunting and fishing in Canada, Maine, and West Virginia. Throughout his life, he wrote about his experiences and was published in several outdoor magazines including the Pennsylvania Game News. James was not only an avid reader, but a collector of literature, which included a deep admiration of the lives and works of Ernest Hemmingway and other classic authors. He was a dedicated weightlifter and runner. He enjoyed road races, competing in The Great Race 10K several times. He was always very generous with his time and resources. He was passionate about supporting various community organizations, especially those serving veterans, food banks and animal shelters.

James loved spending time with family, especially during his favorite holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas, annual family vacations to the New Jersey Shore and his many trips to Disney World. James and his wife of almost 55 years, JoAnn, were a dynamic duo. They shared many of the same interests, such as a love of dogs, Pittsburgh sports, travel, and cruises, but their top priority was always family.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Dr. JoAnn V. Narduzzi Hockenberry; his children, James D. (Janice) Hockenberry, Jr. and Andrea Hockenberry (David) Rea; his grandchildren, Anthony and Rachel Hockenberry and Andrew and Lucie Rea; and his half-brother, Tom Hockenberry. He is preceded in death by his brother Charles (Cathy) Hockenberry, and his parents Thomas and Margaret (Evans) Hockenberry.

Services and Internment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/) or the Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh (https://humaneanimalrescue.org/).