Gorham – Louis J. Hannigan, 85 of Gorham passed away suddenly Thursday, February 7, 2019. Louis, or “Louie”, which is how he was known by his friends and extended family, was born in Portland on March 25, 1933 the son of the late Daniel J. and Mary M. (Kilfoil) Hannigan. Louis grew up on Munjoy Hill in Portland, Maine and graduated from Cheverus High School Class of 1952.
Louis enlisted in the US Army in 1953 during the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged in March of 1955 after receiving the Korean SVC Medal, Good Conduct Medal, UN SVC Medal, and the National Defense SVC Medal. On New Year’s Eve, 1955, Louis married the love of his life Eleanor Ann Atripaldi, enjoying 63 years of marriage. Being able to travel was a great pleasure to them.
For their 25th wedding anniversary, Louis and Eleanor traveled to Hawaii. In their later years, they were able to fulfill their dream, traveling to visit relatives in Italy and Ireland. Fulfilling another lifelong dream, together they attended the Tournament of Roses Parade in 2006 for their 50th wedding anniversary.
Together they raised four children; Lindajean, Thomas, Debbie and Michael. As a family, they enjoyed traveling and many summers in their Portland backyard by the pool, playing cribbage and spending time together. Louis will be remembered as a loving husband, brother, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.
Louis was loved by many. He was a true friend to all he met and one of those rare people that positively impacted the lives of everyone with whom he came in contact. After his Service in the US Army, Louis attended Northeastern School of Business where he honed his skills as an accountant.
Louis was hired by F.W. Cunningham where he served as the Paymaster from 1956 to 1960. In 1960, Louis was hired by the Crane Supply Co in Portland, Maine and worked there until 1969. From 1969 till 1981, Louis worked for the City of Portland, serving multiple roles including Model Cities Program Accountant and Personnel Director.
In 1981, Louis and Eleanor went out on their own to establish what eventually became Hannigan Associates Tax and Payroll where Louis assisted and worked with many small businesses across all Southern Maine until his retirement. Louis was a devout Catholic whose strong faith helped him throughout life’s journeys and molded him into the loving, caring man he was. Since 2003, he participated annually in the Relay for Life as a member of “Tom’s Team”.
Louis was a member of the Westbrook Knights of Columbus for many years as he enjoyed and respected the Knights Brotherhood. Family and Friends were the centerpiece of Louis’ life. He never played a bad round of golf because “any round of golf was better than a good day at work” – especially with his original City Hall Crew and best buddies John Menario, Fred Lucci and John DePalma.
Now the foursome is back together again. Dad enjoyed being surrounded by his family and staying active. Dad especially enjoyed picnics on Sebago Lake with Linda.
Watching sporting events with Michael, especially the Patriots and in 2009 and 2010 was able to check off his bucket list “attend the Masters”. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed hiking many trails with Debbie and her niece, Lily. He loved being on the top of Mount Washington this past fall with Debbie and Bill.
In addition to his parents, Louis was predeceased by his son, Thomas Hannigan. of Westbrook in 2003, three brothers, William, Robert and Francis and one sister, Marie Patch. Louis is survived by his daughters, Lindajean Russo and her husband Mark of North Sebago, Maine and Debbie Hannigan Anctil and her husband Bill of Minot, Maine, his son Michael Hannigan and his wife Janice of Concord, North Caronia.
His five grandchildren, Scott, Jenna, Zachery, Julia and Christopher, four great grandchildren, Zachery Jr., Lukas, Kayleigh, Ethan and one on the way and by his brother, Earle Hannigan of Howland, Maine. The best way to describe Louis Hannigan can be found in a letter written years ago by his wife Eleanor: Dear Lou, You will always embrace my heart. You are my best friend as well as the love of my life.
You have something inside you, something beautiful and strong. Kindness is what I see in you. You are the most forgiving and peaceful man I know.
God is with you, he must be, for you are the closest thing to an angel that I have ever met. I give you all my love and dedicate our future to preserve each memory. Dad always had a way of finding the right words to say in any situation with one of his favorite sayings being, “everything happens for a reason, trust in the Lord and you will find your answer”.
Visitation will be on Thursday, February 14, 2019 from 4-7 p.m. at A.T. Hutchins Funeral Home, 660 Brighton Ave, Portland, ME. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home at 9 am on Friday, February 15, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Anthony of Padua, 268 Brown Street, Westbrook at 10 a.m. Interment with Military Honors will follow at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland, ME.
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