Thomas Henry Hannigan, Sr. passed away peacefully on the morning of November 10, 2017, in
Concord, NH, at the age of 92.
On the subject of marriage, Tom once told one of his sons, "I can't imagine living any other
way," and he meant it. Tom was recently predeceased by his loving wife Mary Elizabeth
(Murphy) Hannigan. The couple met when Tom was about to start training as a Special Agent
with the FBI and Mary was working at the bureau as a secretary. They were introduced at a
workplace social event, and the next day, a mutual friend slid Tom's background file across
Mary's desk. The two then began a long-distance courtship that culminated in their marriage on
September 22, 1951, a union that lasted for 65 years.
That Tom died the day before Veterans Day was perfectly appropriate. Those who knew Tom
never had to wonder what patriotism and service to one's country meant, because they had a
perfect example to follow.
Raised during the Great Depression in Revere, MA, Tom entered service in the U.S. Army in
February, 1944. He worked as horseshoer with the 613 th Pack Artillery Battalion, a cavalry unit
that served in India, Burma, and China. After the war, Tom attended Saint Michael's College in
Vermont on the GI Bill.
Tom was hired by the FBI in 1950 and went on to serve as a Special Agent for the next 29
years. He was an accomplished marksman, and served as a firearms instructor at the FBI
Academy in Quantico, VA, as well as for numerous police schools throughout the northeast over
the course of his career. After a four-year retirement spent on Cape Cod, Tom resumed his law-
enforcement career by serving as an investigator with the New Hampshire Attorney General's
office for another ten years.
For a man who held a serious profession, Tom was a playful person at heart. He had a booming
laugh, a good-natured spirit, and a unique gift for tossing out one-liners that would leave
everyone in stitches.
Sports and fitness were near and dear to Tom. He played football and baseball in his youth, and
was the captain of the St. Michael's College football team in his senior year. Later, he
discovered tennis, his true calling. He said he learned to play while stationed at the Washington,
D.C. office of the FBI when he was assigned to follow Soviet nationals as part of a surveillance
detail. The Russians played tennis, so he did too, and he was soon hooked. He'd often play two
or three times a day, and was always ready for a match with friends, family, or perfect strangers
alike. In addition, the trunk of Tom's car acted as a rolling sporting goods store, stocked and
ready at all times for tennis, golf, football, baseball, target shooting, and skeet shooting, among
others.
Those who knew Tom well will never be able to hear the song "It's Only A Paper Moon" without
thinking of him. He constantly whistled and sang the tune to himself, unafraid to burst into song.
Tom was a family man to his core. His children include Thomas Henry Hannigan, Jr., of
Needham, MA, Ellen Marie (Hannigan) Powers of Port Washington, NY, Mary Margaret
(Hannigan) Matthews of Concord, NH, and Michael Patrick Hannigan of Shelburne, VT. He was ?
a father-in-law to Cindy Hannigan, Joseph Powers, Duncan Matthews, and Alexis Hannigan.
And he loved being a grandfather to his twelve grandkids: Mo, Joey, Katie, Lee, Gunnar, Kent,
Whitney, T.C., Lara, Emily, Henry, and Ail í s; as well as his six great grandchildren: Christopher,
Kevin, Emily, Charlie, Nolan, and Abe.
Tom was born on September 26, 1925 to John and Margaret (Browne) Hannigan of Revere,
MA. He is survived by his sister Margaret (Hannigan) Berkeley of Danvers, MA. He was
predeceased by his brothers, John Hannigan of Revere, MA, and George Hannigan of Reading,
MA, as well as his sister Elinora (Hannigan) Hurley of Revere, MA.
Tom was a good and kind man, a role model to many, and he deeply valued honesty and
integrity.
We loved him very much, and miss him already.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, November 17 th , from 5-7pm at Waters Funeral Home, 50
South Main St., Concord.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, November 18 th at 10am, at Christ The King
Parish, 72 South Main St., Concord.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Tom's name to the St. Michael's
College Women's Tennis Team (c/o St. Michael's Athletics, Women's Tennis, One Winooski
Park, Colchester, VT 05439), or to the Gunnar Matthews Lacrosse Scholarship (checks payable
to Concord High School, 170 Warren Street, Concord, NH 03301).