John Patrick Hannon

The Reverend John Patrick Hannon, a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Hartford, died on Tuesday, June 10, 2008, at the Sisters of Providence Infirmary, Holyoke, Mass.

He was born on May 1, 1947, in Hartford to Ruth (Edwards) Hannon of Enfield and the late James Hannon Sr. He attended local schools, graduated from Newington High School in the class of 1965 and worked at the Hartford Insurance Group before beginning his studies for the Priesthood at Saint Thomas Seminary, Bloomfield. He completed his studies at Saint John's Seminary in Brighton, Mass., and returned to Saint Thomas Seminary for the 1975-76 school year as a Deacon Prefect. Father Hannon was ordained a Priest on May 29, 1976, by Archbishop John F. Whealon in ceremonies at Saint Joseph Cathedral, Hartford. Following ordination, he was assigned to several parishes within the Archdiocese: Saint Joseph, New Haven; Saint Bernard, Sharon; Our Lady of Mercy, Plainville; Our Lady of Fatima, Yalesville and Saint Gabriel, Milford. He was also part of the Catholic Chaplaincy at both Hartford and Mount Sinai Hospitals. While in residence at Saint Justin's on Blue Hills Avenue, Hartford, he wrote and directed two sanctuary dramas for presentation there: "Lucy Light" and "The Christmas Man," each of which dealt with the pre-Christian origins of the Advent/Christmas observance. Additionally, he created "Reclamation," a statement on the religious aspects environmental issues. Following the performance, it was on display at Hartford Seminary as a piece of installation art. During these last years of his retirement, Father Hannon was in residence at Saint Patrick's, Enfield, where he assisted with Adult Education and liturgies as his health permitted.

In addition to his mother, he leaves his sister, Frances E. Hannon, also of Enfield; a brother, James Hannon Jr., and his wife, Sharon, of Ellington; two nephews, Patrick Hannon and Shawn Hannon; an aunt and several cousins.

Relatives and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, June 16, at 10:30 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church, 446 Mountain Road, Suffield. The Most Reverend Henry J. Mansell, D.D., Archbishop of Hartford, will be the Principal Concelebrant. The Most Reverend Walter J. Edyvean, S.T.D., Auxiliary Bishop of Boston, will preach. Interment will take place on Monday at 2 p.m. in Mount Saint Benedict Cemetery (Section R), Bloomfield.

There are no calling hours.

Please omit flowers. The Hannon Family respectfully requests that donations in Father Hannon's memory be made to The Sisters of Providence, Providence Place, 5 Gamelin Street; Holyoke, MA 01040-4081.

Small-Pietras Funeral Home of Rockville has been entrusted with the arrangements.

For online expressions of sympathy, please visit:

www.pietrasfuneralhome.com