Father Michael Joseph Hannon

Fr. Michael Joseph Hannon, 94, of Oldsmar, passed away Wednesday, August 28, 2013. Born in Aherina Kilmore, County Clare, Ireland, he attended Sally Bank National School, St. Flannan’s College, St. Patrick Seminary and Pallotine Seminary College. He was ordained June 6, 1947 in Thurles Co. Tipperary, Ireland by Archbishop Jeremiah Kinnane. He was a missionary in Buenos Aires, Argentina and teacher & Associate Pastor in Parish Work at Fahey College from 1947-1953. From there he was Associate Pastor of Our Lady of the Visitation Parish in London, England till 1961. He then was Associate Pastor at St. Coleman Parish in Pompano Beach, FL till 1962 when he moved to the San Pablo Parish in the Florida Keys as an Associate Pastor till 1963. He was the Associate Pastor at Corpus Christi Parish in Miami for a year and was then Associate Pastor of St. Elizabeth Parish in Pompano Beach, FL until 1965. He then was Associate Pastor at Epiphany Parish in Miami for 1 year till he became Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Okeechobee, FL from 1966-1969. During this time, he supervised the building of Holy Cross Church in Indiantown, FL serving the migrant people of Okeechobee. He was appointed Pastor of St. Mary of the Lakes, Eustis, on May 31, 1969 in the Diocese of Orlando. He remained Pastor of St. Mary of the Lakes until his retirement on October 19, 1986. While at St. Mary’s, he supervised the building of the new St. Mary of the Lakes Church which was dedicated on May 30, 1980. In retirement he volunteered at the Espiritu Santo Parish in Safety Harbor, FL and then became a member of St. Ignatius Parish in 1996. Father Hannon always remained grateful to all of his parishioners for their generosity and tremendous support throughout his 66 years of Priesthood. He always encouraged his people to remain faithful to their faith in spite of all the changes taking place in their lives and the world. He classified his 66 years of Priesthood as a most memorable experience to forever be cherished. He was 1 of 8 children. Surviving is his sister, Nancy Baker of Ireland. He was preceded in death by his 5 brothers, John, Patrick, Flan, Cristy, Thomas and his sister Nora, R.S.M. He is also survived by many nephews and nieces, his caregiver, Sr. Pauline A. Chouinard, SSFC in Oldsmar, FL and a host of friends. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church, Eustis on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 at 10:30 AM with Bishop John Noonan celebrating and Priests of the Diocese of Orlando concelebrating. Interment will follow at San Pedro Priests’ Cemetery, Winter Park. The Visitation and Vigil Service will be at St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church on Monday evening from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. Online Guestbook available at www.hardenpauli.com Arrangements by Harden/Pauli Funeral Home, Eustis.