Tributes paid Don Hanni at his funeral today

YOUNGSTOWN — Those who paid tribute to Don L. Hanni Jr. at his funeral Mass today remembered him with joy and laughter — how the former political party boss and prominent defense attorney would have wanted, they said.

“Shed no tears for Don,” said former state Senate President Harry Meshel, a longtime friend of Hanni.

Describing Hanni’s 16 years as Mahoning County Democratic Party chairman, Meshel said Hanni was “just a little dictatorial, but he kept the political train rolling.”

Hanni, 82, died Wednesday at his Coitsville home.

“He was a friend, he was a foe,” said R. Scott Krichbaum, a Mahoning County Common Pleas Court judge and former defense lawyer. “He was kind, he was mean. He was tough, he was gentle. He was a genuine true friend to all of us.”

For the complete story, read Tuesday’s Vindicator or vindy.com