Kirby Hanson

Fr. Kirby Hanson Kirby was born June 21, 1934 in Hilo, Hawai'i, the son of Carl E. and Ann Kirby Hanson, and twin brother of Faye Hanson [Schlichte]. In 1948, he moved with his family to Honolulu, and four years later, graduated from Punahou School. After attending Washington State University in Pullman and graduating from the University of Washington in Seattle, he served on active duty with the U.S. Army at Fort Ord in Monterey from 1955 to 1957. In 1957, Kirby joined the Bank of California, where he worked until entering Saint Patrick's Seminary in 1964. On May 15, 1970, Father Kirby was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop William J. McDonald, Auxiliary Bishop of San Francisco, at Saint Matthew Church in San Mateo. Father Hanson initially served as Associate Pastor for six years at Saint Mary's Cathedral; and in 1976, was named Assistant Chancellor of the Archdiocese with responsibilities as Chair of the Building Committee and Executive Secretary of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council. On September 15, 1981, Archbishop Quinn appointed Father Hanson Chancellor of the Archdiocese. In 1984, Father Hanson was assigned as Pastor of Saint Isabella Parish in San Rafael; and in 1989, as Pastor of Saint Brigid Church in San Francisco. Father Hanson ministered as Pastor of Saint Thomas the Apostle Church in San Francisco from 1994 until his retirement in 2001. He had lived independently in San Francisco since retiring. He died peacefully during the night of October 14/15, 2010 at his home. Although quiet and unassuming, Father Hanson had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh. His laugh will be missed by all who knew him. Although he dearly loved San Francisco, his adopted city, he looked forward to going home to Hawai'i each summer. He is survived by his nephew, Fr. Carl F. Schlichte, OP of Salt Lake City, Utah. Visitation will be begin Thursday 6pm with a Vigil Service 7pm at Saint Thomas the Apostle Church 3835 Balboa St., San Francisco, CA. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday 10am, October 22, 2010 at St. Mary's Cathedral, 1111 Gough Street, San Francisco CA. Committal will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma.