Arthur Jerome Hannan

1935 - 2021

Arthur Jerome Hannan

Greenfield, MA — On May 25, 2021, beloved husband, father and stepfather, grandfather, friend, and teacher Arthur Jerome Hannan passed away peacefully from complications related to Parkinson's disease with his wife and children by his side.

Born July 24, 1935, to John and Stella Hannan of Waltham, Massachusetts, Art attended parochial and public schools, graduating in 1953 from Waltham High School.

He received his bachelor of arts degree in economics at the University of Massachusetts in 1957. As a student, he was a member of the Army ROTC program. After graduation he completed basic training and served several years in the Army National Guard. For the eleven years following basic training, Art sold and presented a variety of literacy and study skill programs to schools and colleges across the country. During this time period, he completed a master's degree in educational psychology at Columbia University's Teachers College in New York City.

In 1969, after accepting a position at Greenfield Community College in Massachusetts, Art moved to Walpole, New Hampshire. During his 31 years at GCC, he helped to established a Learning Center for student tutoring, taught psychology, chaired the Behavioral Science Division and served as Dean of Students. Art was known for his generosity of spirit, his wise counsel, and, above all, his devotion to the well-being of students and the college community. GCC was his home away from home, providing a source of great purpose, daily camaraderie, and enduring friendships.

Relocating to Greenfield with his children in 1979, Art met and married Marilyn. During their marriage of nearly 37 years, they nurtured two careers, their three children, and many, many cats. They also enjoyed countless gatherings over good food and flowing wine.

An ardent believer in exercise, Art ran in dozens of 10Ks and, at age 55, he completed the Rhode Island Marathon in Newport. He engaged in a daily regimen of strength training exercises and several times a week worked out with the weights and equipment at the GCC fitness center. Continuing this routine into his 80s, he was greatly honored when, in 2015, the facility was named the Art Hannan Fitness Center.

After retiring from GCC as professor emeritus, Art stayed active and volunteered at Franklin County Home Care, helping seniors with money management and earning their trust and affection. He also participated annually in soliciting contributions for the GCC Foundation.

In his last years, despite his progressive illness and its limitations, Art retained his gentle, caring spirit and his devotion to those he loved, especially his wife Marilyn, who provided round-the-clock care as he declined.

Art was predeceased by his brother John and sister-in-law Charlotte. He leaves his wife, Marilyn, son Sean and his wife Lynn, daughter Tania and her wife Liz, stepson Dave and his wife Gwen, sister-in-law Sr. Margaret McCleary, and grandchildren Brooke, Kayla, Colin and Stella Hannan and Ella and Nate Williams.

Donations in Art's memory may be made to The Greenfield Community College Foundation, One College Drive, Greenfield, MA 01301.