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DR. THOMAS JOSEPH HANNON Jr.
1936 - 2015
DR. THOMAS JOSEPH HANNON Jr.
1936 - 2015
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THOMAS HANNON Obituary
Age 78, of Slippery Rock, PA (Butler County) passed away at Sunnyview Home, Butler, PA Butler County on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at 1:18 p.m. He was born in Scranton, PA, Lackawanna County on June 10, 1936 to Thomas Joseph Hannon, Sr. and Lillian Gallagher Hannon. He married Catherine Eleanor Parke on July 25, 1959 and she preceded him in death on January 6, 2013. He was a Korean War Veteran and honorably discharged in 1962. He was a member of St. Peter Roman Catholic Church in Slippery Rock where he had served as a Eucharistic Minister. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Mansfield State College in 1958; his MS Degree from Penn State and PhD at The University of Pittsburgh. He became an associate professor at Slippery Rock University in 1970 and full professor in 1986 in the Geography Department. He retired in 2004 after 34 years of service. He was teaching at the Institute of Lifelong Learning in Slippery Rock and was well known in the area for his knowledge of Genealogy and Tombstone Geography. He was an active member and former President of the Butler County Historical Society, a former member of Slippery Rock Borough Council and had served on the Slippery Rock Zoning Commission. Survivors include two daughters, Margaret A. Hannon – Sellers (Jimmy) of McKees Rocks, PA; Dr. Marilyn Hannon Sain (Sergio) of Millstone Township, NJ; a son, Timothy James Hannon (Jeanette) of Erie, PA; five grandchildren, David Abelson, Timothy J. Hannon, Jr., Liam Patrick Hannon, Tessa Marie Sain, and Andrew Thomas Sain. He was preceded in death by parents; wife; and a sister, Marilyn A. McAuvic. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Peter Roman Catholic Church, 670 South Main St., Slippery Rock, PA 16057 on Saturday, March 7, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. with Father Kevin Poecking, pastor of St. Peter Parish. Friends will be received at SMITH FUNERAL HOME in Slippery Rock Friday, March 6, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Interment will follow in St. Anthony Cemetery, Harrisville, PA. Memorial Contributions to the American Heart Association.
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John Mackey
June 23, 2023
He was my Dean at Slippery Rock back in 1975 - 1979. A tough but great professor with an Irish wit! RIP. Respectfully, I remain your student John Mackey
Robert Grimm
February 25, 2021
I happen to think of Dr Hannon today. I looked him up and just sadly found out he had passed. I had him at SRU in 2001 and wanted to say he was my favorite professor by far. Being I'm of Irish and German descent, he would always joke with me speaking in a silly Irish or German accent. Always asking if I wanted to go "pee on the Blarney Stone". One of the coolest and amazing men I've ever known. I know it's been 6yrs now, but condolences to his family.
Eileen Wilkes (Tillman)
February 3, 2018
To the Hannon Family,
Thank you for sharing Dr. Hannon with those of us who were blessed to have experienced "the TJ Hannon" method of learning. As a Geography major, graduating in 1979 from SRSC, my time spent under Dr. Hannon's guidance was one of hard work, frustration, an intense desire for precision, and a zest for continual learning, even into my 60's. Because of Dr. Hannon's interest in headstones, I have never feared entering a cemetery, but find myself in search of life stories.
Dr. Hannon will always be my favorite professor while at SRSC. I will eventually come see his headstone to see what enlightening info that I might find there!
Thank you , Dr. Hannon for all that you gave for each of your students. You left us with a desire to never stop learning and improve ourselves.
Eileen Tillman Wilkes
SRSC-1979
Kathy Andres McBride
May 22, 2015
To the Hannon family,
I just read in The Rock publication of the loss of your Dad and Grandpa. I was a student in the Geography Department from 1971-1975. I was his #1 right hand student doing cemetery research for him for his doctorate degree. He once told me that he acknowledged me in his work but I never saw a copy of it. My younger brother and I even compiled all of the information from Calvary Cemetery in Oil City which numbered over 4,100 tombstones at that time. Some of the earliest were in Polish, so my Mom needed to translate all Polish messages for us.
Your Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa took a few of us to a Pioneer America Society convention in Abingdon, Virginia. It was the funniest, most memorable trip you could imagine.
I graduated from SR in 1975 with a teaching degree in Social Studies for grades 7-12. I was in two classes that "TJ" taught. He was a good professor.
I recently retired with 40 years of teaching students in the Oil City School District. I've received national teaching awards and I have to acknowledge the professors who gave me a good foundation. TJ was one of those who inspired me.
I'm sorry that I wasn't aware that your Dad and Grandpa had passed away, or I would have been at the funeral home to express my heartfelt sympathy to all of you.
May your memories help to sustain all of you at this most difficult time.
Sincerely,
Kathy Andres McBride
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Tessa Sain
April 3, 2015
He was my grandfather, a professor, a great friend, and much much more to many of you, my condolences go to my mom, aunt, and uncle, for they have it much worse than I. I could never imagine living without my parents around and it must be so hard for them. I will miss chatting with him about chess, geography, and well, anything. He was the greatest grandfather anyone could ever be, and I will always remember the moments I shared with him in the hospital a week before he passed. It hurts to write this, but it must be said. I love you, rest in peace Pop Pop, and I hope you find Grandma up there, too.
Buddy Hannon
March 28, 2015
RIP Pop Pop....I miss u
Eric Stewart
March 10, 2015
Dr. Hannon was a great friend. I will miss him. I went to Ireland with him for a month in 2001. This was the greatest trip ever. He will always be one of the greatest educators I have known. God bless him and Spot and the hand grenade.
March 7, 2015
I was disappointed that I was not able to get to the funeral home to tell you how much I enjoyed working with Tom while on the faculty at SRU. I am not sure how many cemetery tours or classes I took with him thru the ILR. He will be missed by many. Joe Marks
Nancy Whyte
March 5, 2015
My sympathies to the family. Your dad was a wonderful, inspiring and talented teacher. Through memories, he will be with us always.
Pat and Stew Griest
March 5, 2015
Our condolences and sympathy to Tom's family.
James Gallagher
March 4, 2015
Dr. Hannon was always a favorite professor of mine and the only one I continued to correspond with after graduation. My eternal thanks to him for instilling in me an unquenchable thirst for knowledge.
~SRU Class of 1995
March 4, 2015
Peggie, Your Dad was such an interesting and vital part of our ILR group, which is where I met him. Also met your Mother at lunch several times. You and I have had a chat, or two on FB and you went to school with my daughter, Sally. You have my sincere sympathies in your loss of both parents so close.
March 4, 2015
Dr. Hannon was a very engaging professor at Slippery Rock. He had a passion for local history and took many a student on field trips to cemeteries to document the movements and religious affiliations of the populace. I will always remember his parting words after each class "Go in pieces" as he made the sign of the cross. You will be missed.
Claire Dusak 1977 graduate in Human Ecology/ Geography
American Heart Association
March 4, 2015
May your memories of the wonderful times you shared with your loved one comfort you and your family, today and always.
John Francey
March 3, 2015
Peggie I never met your father but I know he had to be as awesome as you. I am sorry for your loss
Sara Ciesielski
March 3, 2015
Thinking of you, Peggie, during this tough time. My condolences to you and your family.
Jim & Patty (Lapa) Straub
March 3, 2015
Condolences and peace to all Tom's family as that in which he now rests, reunited in that peace with your Mom. Regretfully, I never got to meet your Mom but he never failed to mention how he'd been missing her during our frequent chats as he'd stop while in fair weather walking his always-friendly, 4-legged, constant companion who I'm sure will long miss his master as well. Many times your Dad mentioned he wouldn't know what to do without his pal. I will miss both my buddies with fondest of memories. Condolences again, and may peace be with you all! Please feel free to contact us should a need arise.
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421 New Castle St, Slippery Rock, PA 16057
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