John Edward Hannigan
June 23, 1917 ~ May 2, 2012
PORTLAND - John Edward Hannigan, 94, passed away on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at The Cedars following a brief illness. He was born June 23, 1917 at Mercy Hospital in Portland, ME. He attended Saint Dominic's Grammar School and Cheverus Classical High School. John began his career at the age of sixteen as a driver for Maine Dairy Milk Company making deliveries with a horse and wagon. He retired forty years later from Old Tavern Farms. Not one to be idle, John worked the next ten years at Standard Electric, retiring at the age of 66. During World War II he served in the Navy as a helmsman on the aircraft carrier USS Independence. At the age of 75, John was called out of retirement when his son Robert bought a grocery store on Peaks Island. He served as "Dairy Manager" and "Wine Specialist" at Hannigan's Island Market from 1993 until two weeks before his death. John was a member of the Knights of Columbus, an usher at Saint Christopher's Church and an active member of the Peaks Island Lions Club. John was predeceased by his beloved wife of 62 years, Catherine Lacey Hannigan in May of 2007. He is survived by their four children, Edward and his wife Judy of Goffstown, N.H., Susan Sullivan and her husband Daniel of Patchogue, NY, Stephen and his wife Linda of Baltimore, MD, and Robert and his wife Jane of Portland and Peaks Island. He was the loving grandfather of Katie, Jennifer, Daniel, Kathleen, Stephanie, Robert K., Elizabeth and Robert, Jr. as well as the great grandfather of Zara, Madison, and Joseph. John is also survived by his sisters in law Mary Lacey West of Aurora, CO and Margaret Lacey Larkin of Norwood, MA along with many special nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be held from 2-5pm on Sunday May 13th at Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. An 11:15 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, May 14th at Saint Christopher's Church, Peaks Island. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be sent to Peaks Island Fund, c/o Maine Community Foundation, 1 Monument Way, Portland, ME 04101.Online condolences may be expressed below.
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I am so sorry to hear about Mr. Hannigan’s passing. I will miss his smile and kindness. We were church buddies ; he would sit in the back row on one side and I was on the other. Our birthdays’ are one day apart; and he always remembered that when I wished him a Happy Birthday. He would say, yours is tomorrow, right? To Bob and his family: your dad will be greatly missed; he was a great guy.
– Roseanne Fontaine Talbot
John’s captivating smile, humor and humanity leaves us enriched for having known him. Our deepest sympathy and condolences to the fine family he leaves us.
– Ross & Linda Coles
I will miss your father. He spent many a day and evening with my dad Dan at the Lions doing many many functions helping the island out. Your Dad always knew who I was, which is remarkable with the limited time I was there each year. He was a fine man and his kindness and humorous stories will be remembered by all. I was not only honored to know him as a man, but a World War 2 vet who made this country a better place and the world safer. Tim Murphy
– Tim Murphy – Mayo Maryland
It is with great sadness that I read of your father’s passing…I worked with your Mom years ago and spent many hours visiting with your Dad Mom in Portland on Peaks Island…now they are together again..God Bless them both, and may His Light Shine upon them…May you find comfort in knowing that you had two of the best parents in the world….Dolore Chaisson, Chesapeake, Va
– Dolores Chaisson
My husband Vaughn worked with John at Standard Electric, A great guy and a gentleman. I always enjoyed seeing him at the company’s functions that I attended with Vaughn. He always had a story to tell. May he rest in peace. God’s Blessings to his Family. Love Marilyn Wellington
– Marilyn Wellington
I was use to seeing John every day, me being the mailman on peaks island. For the three years I had come to know John i could tell he was a kind, caring and Always friendly, he greatly missed .
– vinnie omodeo
I worked with John at Standard Electric and you could not ask for a better person than John. He was always willing to help people and John was a people person, and he will be missed. My prayers are with his family. Kathy
– Kathy Peck
I didn’t see John often but when I did see him working in the store, at church or with lions he was always friendly, active and upbeat.People like John Hannigan made this country and the world a better place.
– Mike Murray
so sorry to hear of john’s passing. A gentleman who always brought a smile to my face. My thoughts and prayers to all of his family.
– joe wright
I have known John for many years. He delivered milk at the bakery and always stopped for cofee. He was a great guy. My thoughts and prayers are with Robie and the rest of his family.
– Willie Audet, Flagler Beach, Fl.
Speaking for all the Herseys, we are so very sorry to hear about your dad. Speaking for anyone who ever encountered him in the store, he will be sadly missed… Speaking from the heart, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
– Sue&Nick Tenuta, Dick Hersey
Very sorry to learn of your Dad’s passing. He was an inspiration to all of us kids. May he rest in peace. Paul Conley, Toronto, Canada
– Paul Conley Sr
He was my best friend on peaks as a former old tavern farm employee we shared lots of memories. I miss driving him to his appointments off island and our lunches together I look forward to our reunion in heaven my friend