Frank E. Hannigan, Jr.
Frank E. Hannigan, Jr., former Boston school teacher and long-time resident of Dorchester, died peacefully at Marian Manor on Saturday, June 29, 2013 after a lengthy illness. He was 87.
Frank was born in Springfield, Massachusetts on June 23, 1926 and spent his early years in Milton. He had 5 siblings: Ann, Katherine, Alice, and the late John and James. He graduated from Mission High School in 1942 and two years later joined the U.S. Army where he served in the Philippines and Japan. For his combat service in the Philippines, Frank was awarded the Bronze Star.
In 1956, he married Rita M. McDonough of Dorchester with whom he had five children: Theresa, Francis, Joseph, Julie and John. In 1966, Rita died of complications from Neurofibromatosis 2, a genetic disorder. He married Marianna Doyle of Malden in 1970. They remained married for the next 43 years until his death. Frank is survived by four grandchildren: Jocelyn, Nicholas, Grace and Frances Mae.
A beneficiary of the G.I. Bill, he graduated from Boston College in 1957. Completing his Master’s degree at Boston State College, he began a teaching career that lasted over four decades, most of it as a teacher of English at Boston Latin School. After teaching 43 years, he retired in 2001 at the age of 74. He served in the Massachusetts National Guard for 38 years, twenty years as a Master Sergeant. Frank was a part-time executive with his close friend, the late Paul Casey, at P.J. Casey and Son, Inc., a moving and storage company located in Canton.
A devout Catholic, Frank was very active in St. Mark’s Parish in Dorchester, serving as a lector and member of the choir. He also taught literacy, helped immigrants prepare for citizenship and led the St. Mark’s chapter of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul for several years.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Mark’s Church, 1725 Dorchester Avenue in Dorchester on Saturday, July 6th at 10 AM. Interment at Milton Cemetery. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours will be held at the Dolan Funeral Home, 1140 Washington Street, Dorchester Lower Mills, on Friday from 4-8 PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Frank’s name may be made to St. Mark’s Church, 1725 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester, MA 02124 or The Boston Latin School Association, 101 Huntington Avenue, Suite 200, Boston, MA 02199 or www.blsa.org.
Guestbook Entries
Frank was a unique educator and mentor to many a rookie teacher,myself included,His talks at assemblies were priceless.To me he seemed to be the best of the best as a teacher,and I’m sure his formerstudents would attest to that.I was fortunate to know him.
While attending BLS, I did not have Mr. Hannigan as a teacher, but he was a major presence in the halls, greatly respected by all. It was clear to everyone that he was a man of outstanding integrity, extremely dedicated to his students and the school. Of all the many worthy efforts he devoted his time and energies to, I am most grateful for one particular result – the kind and thoughtful son he and Marianna raised, John Patrick Hannigan, one of my best friends and someone who, like his father, has a great moral compass and sense of justice. The most noble aspects of Mr. Hannigan will continue to live on in his children, grand children and all those who knew and loved him.
Regina Marchi
East Boston, MA
My sympathy to the Hannigan sisters and Franks immediate family. I remember Frank vividly from Crown St in Milton. A real nice person.
Mr. Hannigan was my 8th Grade English Master. I can still see him ringing that bell when it was time to head to homeroom.
Mr. Hannigan was a wonderful master of the Latin School, all that embodied what we were: self-reliant, determined, and resolute. He taught me to appreciate the ‘Forest Primievial’ from “Evangeline” and much more.
When I returned to BLS in ’94 as a Latin Master, I got to know Mr. Hannigan in a different way: he was FUNNY, and I’ll never forget the day he told me in the cafeteria (when we still had one; it is now where the library was), “You’re the best dressed gal in the school.” I still remember what I was wearing that day when he said that to me.
Mr. Hannigan was all that was good about the Latin School. I will miss him greatly.
Sherry M. Lewis-da Ponte
Class of ’88
dear Marianna,
We are thinking og yoiu – and of course Frank – at thso moment of loss. We are away thsi eekend with our grandachildren.
Dear Marianna,
We have been thinking of you – and at this time, of course, Frank – a moment of deep loss. You formed an ideal couple — helping each other and helping mankind. We have seen and admired your leadership for our orbits — to higher and truly fulfilling goals. The world is a better place because of you and Frank.
Our lives have been enriched by you both. May he now rest in peace.
YOURS FATIHFULLY, LOVE & PRAYERS
MIKE & SUE DONLAN, and family
Our deepest condolences on your loss.
Our deepest condolences to your family.
It was our pleasure to have provided care for Frank during his admissions to Marian Manor. We extend our sympathies, thoughts and prayers to his family.
Our deepest condolences from all the McLean family.
Dear Marianna
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Frank, our neighbor and friend. Our deepest sympathies to you and your family.
David, Betty, Kenny, and Nina ’96
I met Frank over 15 years ago while working as a community organizer with St. Mark’s Parish and G.B.I.O. I had one of my first conversations about Dorchester and the parish with Frank. We started a relationship building campaign and Frank was on top of it–meeting with two people a week for 8 weeks–sitting and talking with many new parishioners from far away places like Vietnam, Haiti and others who grew up down the street. At the end of the campaign we had a special mass and celebration. Frank was one of the speakers and he blew everyone away with his words about the people he had met, heroes from great wars and others of great suffering and of even greater faith, people who wanted and did good every day and how lucking he was to be a part of the great St. Mark’s Parish. I don’t do justice to his words but Frank and that day are fixed in my mind. I am so lucky to have known this exceptional man.
Dedicated to duty and honor, and a devoted teacher.
I am just now seeing this posting in a flurry of nostalgia after our 20th reunion. I so loved Mr. Hannigan’s English class. He was one of my most memorable teachers; just thinking about him now brings a huge smile to my face. I loved his dry, hilarious sense of humor and the military precision with which he led his class–not to mention the high standards to which he held us all. I am still a card carrying member of the grammar police, which is undoubtedly partially due to my own father, but certainly also to Mr. H. Ultimately, I was an English major at Princeton University. I am very happy to see that he taught BLS students for so long, and that he lived a long and active life after my graduation in 1994. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. I will never forget him or what he taught me.