James Patrick Hannon Sr.
James Patrick Hannon Sr., 99, fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church, passed away peacefully at his home on November 19, 2021 after a very brief illness.
He is survived by his daughter and son, Irene and James Jr.; their spouses, Thomas Gottlieb and Teresa; and his grandchildren, Catherine and Maureen Hannon. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Dorothy (Morgan);cherished aunt, Catherine Hannon (Aunt Kate);and dear sister, Nellie (Riordan). He was a treasured uncle and cousin, and a friend to many.
James was born March 7, 1922, in Monearmore, Ireland—a rural area outside the town of Youghal in County Cork. He was raised in a cottage without electricity or indoor plumbing, and in his younger years worked the fields with horse and plow. He loved hunting with his black lab, Judy, and was a star player on the local Gaelic Athletic Association hurling team.
After immigrating to the United States at the age of 26, he married, became an American citizen, and eventually opened his own furniture refinishing business. Through the years, caring for his family was his number one priority. His primary objective in life was to make life easier for those he loved.
James’ gentle spirit, kind heart, Irish wit, endearing brogue, and Killarney-Lakes blue eyes will be deeply missed by all those fortunate enough to have known him. But his legacy of generosity, faithfulness, humility, selflessness, and deep, abiding love lives on in the many lives he touched.
A memorial Mass was held on December 18 at Church of the Annunziata. James will be interred at Resurrection Cemetery beside Dode—his wife and best friend of 62 years.
You will be forever missed, but your Irish spirit will continue to live on in our hearts.
James P. Hannon – Memories from Memorial Mass
Good morning everyone and thank you for joining us today.
First – as the Irish saying goes – “céad míle fáilte” – or in English – A hundred Thousand Welcomes…
It is hard to capture the words that sum up dad, or “Poppy” as we called him since the girls were little – we joked that he was our little Irish leprechaun, and one of the ‘four musketeers’ as we originally called ourselves growing up before the family expanded. One for all, and all for one…
Dad was so much more than ‘just’ a father. Dad was, truly, a best friend and, while not unheard of, he was even my best man at our wedding. He was a companion in countless ways – whether playing cards – “Kings Corner” – around the kitchen table, golfing, hunting, fishing, canoeing, camping, heading out to the woods to cut trees and split firewood, lending a hand on our place when we first got married – dad was simply, always there to teach and to help.
He was always ready and willing to drop anything that he might want to do – and help anyone who might ask. In fact, truth be told, I have seldom in my life have encountered anyone as unselfish and as giving as dad was. He was one of the most down-to-earth, unpretentious, unassuming individuals I’ve ever crossed paths with in my entire life and I really cannot recall a single time where dad didn’t put others before himself.
A true gentle man who possessed a gentleness in those big Irish hands and heart that was unmatched in many ways.
For a man who didn’t have his father with him growing up in rural Ireland in the 1920s and 1930s, it amazes me where he learned to be such a wonderful husband, father, grandfather. I’m not being facetious when I say I have a long ways to go to be as good of a man, as good of a human being, as was dad. If I could be even 1/10th the individual that dad was his entire life, I would be thrilled.
On a lighter note, dad could regale us for hours with stories of Ireland
• A fish so large that its tail dragged on the ground from the bike handles on his way home from fishing at the Steep;
• Hunting goats on Capel Island 1/2 mile off the coast in the North Atlantic (and rowing out there in a small boat with friends, they had their guns – but no life jackets);
• The otter he shot while hunting one day that suddenly came alive while in the game bag on his back;
• His favorite dog Judy a black lab – and his not so favorite dog.
• Growing up without electricity and having to walk to the cross-roads to get fresh water for the cottage;
• Stories of gypsies coming to the door to read tea leaves for Aunt Kate, who raised him and his sister – “Sis”
• The tin railroad shanty at the crossing that a husband and wife lived in down the Bog road, that would literally shake when the trains came by with dishes rattling on the shelves;
• One of his early jobs painting railroad bridges in Ireland and having to lie on his back under the bridge when the trains were going across just overhead.
• Stories of being in the Irish Defense Force – or Fianna Fáil – during World War II; of fairies and banshees …
• …and how could we ever forget “Maggie the Fowl woman” – a story for another time.
I told a number of people not too long ago that when dad talked about harnessing up horses to work the fields – it wasn’t for a demonstration at a county fair or some historical site – that was the way he actually worked the fields in rural Ireland as a young man – and he lived to see man walk on the moon and NASA reach Mars. He lived to an age, and in an age, where, that with the use of live streaming, our Irish relatives are watching right now, half a world away.
Shortly after Dad died, I was talking with an old friend of mine who knew him. I mentioned that Dad wasn’t ‘just dad’ but so much more. My friend, replied that yes – Dad wasn’t just “Jim’s dad’ – he was everyone’s dad.
Dad was an amazing individual. I was blessed with having parents, including mom although the focus today is on dad, who set the example of what it truly means to say that faith, family and friends – are the most important things in this world….
I could go on for so long about dad, our Poppy – but I’ll end with a similar request to all of you as I did for mom when she passed away just over five years ago. I’d really appreciate if you would please take one of the holy cards, if you’re so inclined, and put it somewhere where you’ll see it from time to time and, when you do, stop for just a moment – and say a short prayer for dad – and mom – that their souls and all the souls of the faithful departed – through the mercy of God – Rest in peace.
Again, thank you for joining us here today – and from Ireland for those who could as well…
Take care – All the best – and God bless.