Dennis F. Hanrahan

Dennis Francis Hanrahan was brought home to Our Lord on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2023. He was born to Martin and Dolores Hanrahan in Mequon, Wisconsin on February 18, 1944. He celebrated fifty-four years of marriage with his wife, Sheryl Schade Hanrahan, and was a proud father of Gary Hanrahan, who married Annie Diot, and Shelly Hanrahan Hansen married to Michael Hansen. He loved his six grandchildren – Hailey, Micah, Madelyn and Tabitha Hansen and Emily and Elise Hanrahan. He graduated from Marquette University with a degree in Journalism. His writing career began at the West Bend Company in Wisconsin where he met his wife, Sheryl, who was the roommate of his co-worker. After he and Sheryl married, they moved to California where he worked for several companies in advertising/sales promotion and finally joined the aerospace industry in the technical writing of proposals. He went from long term disability to retirement from Pacific Life after a fall which caused a traumatic brain injury in November 2004. After relearning how to walk, talk, eat, etc. again, he and his wife enjoyed retirement together. He always knew he wanted to be a writer, and when Denny was a child, he started his own neighborhood newspaper and continued by working on the St. John’s grade school and Marquette high school newspapers in Wisconsin. He played the piano and organ, but really enjoyed playing drums in the marching band, concert band, and dance band. After he graduated from college, he joined the Marine Corps Reserves and was stationed in Camp Pendleton. He quickly fell in love with California and shortly after he and Sheryl were married, they moved to California in 1969. After three years in Van Nuys, they bought a house in La Habra in 1972 and have lived there ever since. Denny was active in the La Habra Jaycees and served as president in 1975, and joined the Orange County chapter of the Society for Technical Communication in the 80’s. There he served as newsletter editor and Membership Vice-President. For ten years, as a sideline, he did wedding photography and then another ten years continued doing wedding videography with help from Sheryl and his son, Gary. His faith was strong and he wanted to share his gifts, so he became a lectern at Sunday Mass and a Eucharistic Minister for several years at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. For many years, until Covid shut down the teams, he and Sheryl did money counting of church collections on Sundays. He enjoyed playing golf, but in his words, said he was never any good. He loved all sports, but especially baseball. For several years he was an usher for the Milwaukee Braves when they still played in Milwaukee. He could still name all the players and their positions, along with the radio announcers from the early 60’s. When he moved to Orange County, CA, he ushered at the Anaheim Stadium for the Angels. He and his Dad had season tickets for the Rams when they played in Anaheim, and he and the family enjoyed many Angel ball games. Using his love for baseball, he coached his daughter, Shelly, in Girls Softball and was an avid spectator of both Gary’s and Shelly’s games, whether they played baseball, softball, soccer or basketball. When he could no longer attend pro games because of his handicap, he could always find some sport to watch on TV! The last two years, he struggled with his handicap, and we are so happy he is free now to enjoy his heavenly rewards and be with Our Lord.

Dennis F. Hanrahan

February 18, 1944 - January 1, 2023

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Dennis F. Hanrahan

February 18, 1944 - January 1, 2023

COVID-19

Flowers & Gifts

Grief & Healing

Our Services

About Us

Obituaries

What We Do

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support