Tom Hanrahan

Thomas Daniel Hanrahan, age 91, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 6, 2024.

He is remembered for his love of family, enduring faith, work ethic, citizenship, compassion for others, telling great stories, and fun-loving shenanigans.

Tom was born in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin on August 25, 1933 the son of Cyril and Armella (Becker) Hanrahan, and sisters Maureen and Marcella (Hoeft). He grew up in Hartland, WI, attended Hartland Public Schools and graduated from Messmer High School. His college years were interrupted by service in the Marines. Stationed in San Diego and Okinawa at the end of the Korean War, part of his duties included traveling the Pacific playing basketball against other military branch teams. After completing his military service Tom graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where he was named honorable mention All America for basketball in his final year. He obtained his teaching certification from Marquette University.  Tom completed his master’s degree from Syracuse University where he focused on science education. 

Tom taught physics and other science classes and coached basketball at Thornton Township High School in Harvey, Illinois, where he inspired and encouraged both his students and basketball players. While his teams were perennial contenders for state championship titles, his greatest coaching legacy is the impact on the lives of men whom he coached. Tom also served as the faculty advisor for Student Council and traveled with students to New York, Washington DC and Europe.   Tom finished his teaching career at Thornwood High School in South Holland, Illinois and at South Suburban College.

On May 28, 1966 Tom was united in marriage to Donna Colsman Hanrahan who survives. He is also survived by daughter Patricia (David) Wunder of Grand Rapids, MI, and son Brian (Kelly) Hanrahan of Edina, MN; and six grandchildren: Daniel (Karley), Cara, Liam, Luke, Colin, and Molly. 

Tom had a lifelong love of fishing. He fished streams and lakes near his childhood home in Hartland.  He greatly enjoyed spending time fishing in retirement, catching trout in the Colorado Rockies, perch in the Great Lakes, walleye in Ontario, and barracuda in the Caribbean.

In retirement, Tom enjoyed traveling with Donna around the world, especially to Ireland, his ancestral homeland. Tom enjoyed adventures with Donna, his children, and grandchildren.  He is fondly remembered for skiing vacations or other fun adventures with his family, and his outdoor adventures and reading bedtime stories with his grandkids. Tom derived great joy from his grandchildren, taking every opportunity to cheer them on as musicians, athletes, students, and citizens.  He loved talking basketball strategy with friends and making friends wherever he went.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on January 17, 2025 at 2:00 pm at Clark Retirement Chapel in Grand Rapids,MI, where the family will greet friends an hour prior to the service.

A private family interment will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at Holy Cross Cemetery.

Donations - Grand Rapids Public Schools Foundation.

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