Don M. Hanna

NEWPORT NEWS - The Rev. Don Michael Hanna, 72, a retired Catholic priest, died on Nov. 15, while traveling in Central America.
Fr. Hanna was born and raised in Hilton Village and in his retirement he resided near Hilton Village in Newport News.
He received his philosophy and theology degrees, and later his Doctorate in Pastoral Ministry, from St. Mary's Seminary and University in Baltimore. Loyola University in Baltimore awarded him his Masters Degree in Education. Health reasons forced Fr. Hanna to request and receive early retirement in 2002. But even in retirement he regularly served as a substitute priest for weekend liturgies in parishes in the Hampton Roads area.
Fr. Hanna was ordained to the priesthood in 1964 and was completely devoted to his priesthood and his Catholic faith. He served as associate pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Church in downtown Newport News, Coordinator of Peninsula Catholic High School and Director of Catholic Charities. He was transferred to Northern Virginia, then a part of the Richmond Diocese, and made Director of Religious Education for the parishes and schools in the Northern Virginia area. He also served as associate pastor at parishes in Annandale, Alexandria, and McLean.
From Northern Virginia Fr. Hanna moved to Charlottesville where he served as pastor of Holy Comforter Church and established Incarnation parish. He was later transferred to St. Nicholas Church in Virginia Beach. There he designed and oversaw the renovation of the church and the construction of new parish buildings. Fr. Hanna then enrolled in the E'cole Biblique in Jerusalem for a year of intensive scripture studies.
After his return from the Holy Land, Fr. Hanna accepted his final pastorate at St. Joan of Arc Parish in Yorktown. There he led the planning and construction of a contemporary church carefully designed to accommodate the liturgical principles envisioned by Vatican Council II. Bishop Sullivan, then Bishop of the Richmond Diocese, recognized Fr. Hanna's broad knowledge and experience in liturgy and appointed him Liturgical Consultant for the project. The new St. Joan's, when completed, won national recognition as one of the best designed Catholic churches for the celebration of community worship.
Fr. Hanna was an avid tennis player, world traveler, inveterate student of sacred scripture, and a prolific reader of poetry and literature. As his health continued to decline he would often quote Carl Sandburg's words, "If I should pass the tomb of Jonah, I would stop and sit for a while. Because I was swallowed one time deep in the dark and came out alive after all!"
Fr. Hanna was proceeded in death by his sister, Patricia Hanna Cochran.
He is survived by his brother, John Alexander and his wife, Kathryn and their sons, John, Michael, David, and Kevin. He is also survived by his beloved nieces, Patricia James, Deirdre Moira, Michele Agnes, Mary Brigid, and their brother, James Reginald Cochran, and numerous grandnieces and nephews.
The Catholic Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Church in Hampton at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009, by Fr. Robert French, a lifelong friend, companion, and fellow-traveler. Prior to the liturgy, visitation will take place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Immediately after the liturgy there will be a reception in the church commons. Inurnment will take place at St. Joan of Arc columbarium on Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Samaritan Fund of Immaculate Conception Parish or to Operation Smile.
Arrangements by Berceuse Funeral and Cremation Traditions, 825-8070. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.