Msgr. Thomas J. Hannigan

Monsignor Hannigan was born on July 20, 1924 in Concord, New Hampshire, the son of James and Margaret (Dawson) Hannigan and was ordained a priest on June 11, 1949 by the Most Reverend Matthew F. Brady, D.D, fifth Bishop of Manchester, at Saint Joseph Cathedral in Manchester. Monsignor Hannigan studied at Saint Anselm College, Manchester; Saint Paul's Seminary of the University of Ottawa, P.Q., Canada; then he completed his ecclesiastical studies at the Grand Seminary, Montreal, P.Q., Canada.

Monsignor Hannigan was assigned as associate pastor of Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish in Derry in June, 1949 and then as associate pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Lebanon in February, 1961. In September, 1963, Monsignor Hannigan was assigned as associate pastor of Saint Anne Parish in Manchester while also serving as Diocesan Assistant Director of the Holy Name Society.

In June of 1966, Bishop Primeau appointed Monsignor Hannigan pastor of Saint Denis Parish in Hanover. In April 1971 Bishop Gendron appointed Monsignor Hannigan pastor of Saint Catherine Parish in Manchester where he served until his retirement in March of 2007.

During his retirement, Monsignor Hannigan remained involved in parish ministry as his health permitted and he continued to live at Saint Catherine Parish. Monsignor Hannigan received the Prelate of Honor in December of 1970; served as Dean of the Manchester East Deanery for several terms, was a Diocesan Consultor, Member of the Council of Priests and served on many other diocesan committees and boards. He also founded and organized the Priests Senate in the Diocese.

He was predeceased by his sister, Mary Hannigan Waston and his brother-in-law, Roger Watson.

Family members include his nieces, Joyce Watson of Dover and Nancy Watson and her husband Martin Rosen of Natick, MA; his nephews, Thomas Watson and wife Kathleen Salisbury of Portsmouth, Robert Watson and his wife Claudia of Rochester, and James Watson and his wife Kim Craig of Framingham, MA; many great-nieces and great-nephews.

The Most Reverend Francis J. Christian, Auxiliary Bishop of Manchester, presided at a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, February 11, 2010. The Rite of Committal was celebrated at Calvary Cemetery, 207 N. State Street, Concord, New Hampshire.

Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to St. Catherine of Siena School, Care of St. Janet Belcourt, CSC, 206 North St, Manchester, NH 03104 or to the Bishop Peterson Residence, 221 Orange St, Manchester, NH 03104.