Rev. Thomas James HANRAHAN

HANRAHAN, Rev. Thomas James, C.S.B


Rev. Thomas James Hanrahan, C.S.B. died peacefully at Anglin House Basilian Infirmary on Wednesday morning, February 8, 2012. He was born in Halifax, N.S. on May 21, 1926, the son of Thomas J. Hanrahan and Margaret Donahoe. After High School at St. Mary's College in the city, he entered the Congregation of St. Basil, making his Novitiate in Toronto in 1944 with first Profession on September 12, 1945. He graduated from the University of Toronto (St. Michael's College) with a B.A. in Modern History in 1949. Three years later, in June 1952, he was ordained to the priesthood in St. Basil's Church, Toronto. In 1954, he completed an M.A. in History from the University of Toronto and a Licentiate in Mediaeval Studies from the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies, Toronto. That year, he received a teaching position in the History Department of the University of British Columbia, where he remained until his election to the General Council of the Basilian Fathers. He served the Congregation for fourteen years, eight of those years as Superior General. During that time, for a term, he served as Chair of the Canadian Religious Conference Having completed this ministry, he served as President of St. Thomas More College, Saskatoon, SK and then as Principal of St. Mark's College, Vancouver, B. C. Because of ill health, he returned to Toronto and eventually moved to the Basilian infirmary (Anglin House). He spent his life in teaching and administration but was very devoted to the poor and to the Prayer Group of Holy Rosary Church, Toronto where he developed his gift for composing sacred music. He is survived by his sister Joan (Halifax) and his brothers Gerald (Halifax) and Robert (St. Catherines).
Visitation will be held at the Cardinal Flahiff Basilian Centre, 95 St. Joseph St., Toronto on Friday, February 10, 2012 from 2 - 5 p.m with the Wake Service at 4:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the same chapel on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. Interment Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Basilian Fathers Retirement Fund, c/o 95 St. Joseph St. Toronto, ON, M5S 3C2.
Rosar-Morrison Funeral Home & Chapel