Peter J. Hanlon, 48, SEPTA exec

YOU MIGHT have seen Peter J. Hanlon running on the beach in North Wildwood. He was the guy with the yellow lab.

It was one of Pete's favorite diversions from his responsibilities as a SEPTA executive. He and his dog, Maggie, would hit the beach in the early hours when it's cool and the sun-bathers haven't arrived.

He was in great shape, an athlete who played football in high school and college and ran the New York City marathon twice.

But he died of a heart attack Monday at the age of 48. He lived in Port Richmond.

His father died at the age of 44 while Pete was in college.

Pete began his career at SEPTA in 1985 as a community liaison officer during the extensive Frankford Elevated reconstruction project, with all its problems and challenges.

He rose to manager of administration of the Railroad Division, the position he held at his death.

Pete was born in Philadelphia to Peter J. and the former Evelyn Fisher. He was raised in Harrowgate and attended Northeast Catholic High School for Boys, from which he graduated in 1976.

He played football there and at Lock Haven University, from which he graduated in 1980 with a bachelor of science degree.

He went to work for Big Brothers/Big Sisters and attended Penn State at nights and on weekends, earning his master's degree in public administration in 1986.

By that time, he had started work at SEPTA.

Pete and his wife, the former Kathy Boggs, were married in 1981.

As a runner, he completed the New York City marathons in 1987 and 1988, and participated in other events in the Philadelphia area and elsewhere in the country with his running buddies, Robert Perillo and Don Young.

They recently ran in Detroit, where Pete got a kick out of visiting Motown Records' original recording studio.

On New Year's Day for the past 19 years, the Hanlons hosted the Lock Haven University reunion.

Pete and six of his college pals, Jack Hengy, Vince Carsillo, Matty Riley, Al Jordan, Bob Maley and Mike Hessington watched football on TV and talked about their college exploits.

Pete enjoyed taking film crews to locations in the city as a SEPTA official, including the crew and cast for the popular film, "The Sixth Sense," directed by Philadelphian M. Night Shyamalan and filmed in the city.

Proud of his Irish heritage, Pete was long active with the Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 87. He ran many fund-raising events, including the annual picnic, communion breakfast and the Century Club. He attended state and national conventions as a delegate.

He was a member of Kappa Delta Rho Fraternity and was active with the fraternity and the alumni associations of his high school and college.

"Pete was a prince of a man," said longtime friend, Bob McConomy. "He always put his family first. He worked on family homes as a handyman, using skills he picked up by ear."

Pete was a member of the Church of St. George, in Port Richmond, where he was a lector and member of the Parish Council. He also worked in the annual church bazaar where he and Kathy would prepare and serve dinners.

Besides his wife, he is survived by his mother, and two daughters, Keriann and Bridget.

Services: Funeral Mass 10:15 a.m. tomorrow at the Church of St. George at 2700 E. Venango St., Philadelphia PA 19134.. Friends may call at 5 this evening at the Reilly Funeral Home, Thompson Street and Allegheny Avenue, and at 8 a.m. tomorrow at the church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. George School, 2700 E. Church St., Philadelphia PA 19134. *