Msgr. James Joseph Hannon

Monsignor James Joseph Hannon died of a lengthy illness on March 16th at his home in Ocean Springs, MS. Monsignor was born In Galway County Ireland on January 13, 1920 to Patrick and Mary Hannon and was the youngest of 5 children. He entered St. Jariath College, Tuam, Galway, in 1933. After graduation in 1939, he attended St. Patrick College, Carlow, until he was ordained for the Mississippi Diocese in June 1945. He came to the United States in 1945 and was assigned as the associate pastor at Nativity BVM, in Biloxi, MS. A year later he was transferred to Our Lady of Victories Parish in Pascagoula, MS. He also served as pastor for Our Lady of Victories from 1969 to 1980. During the period from 1947 to 1950, he attended the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. receiving his doctorate in Canon Law. For the next twelve years, he served under Bishop Richard Gerow and Bishop Joseph Brunini in the Chancery Office for the Diocese of Natchez-Jackson where he was appointed Defender of the Bond on the Marriage Tribunal. Pope Pius XII named Father Hannon as a Papal Chamberlain in 1954. He was named Domestic Prelate with the title of Right Reverend Monsignor in August 1957. Monsignor had many assignments throughout Mississippi and was very much an active participant in communities along the Coast. He retired from his last Parish, St. Alphonsus in Ocean Springs in 1989. Msgr. Hannon continued to work as throughout his retirement in spite of an injury and other health problems. He devoted much time to the Marriage Tribunal of the Diocese of Biloxi, celebrating daily masses at the Villa Maria Retirement Home in Ocean Springs, assisting with masses at St. Thomas in Long Beach, chaplain of the Knights of Columbus Council 5654, and serving as president and Founding Member of the St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy and continued on its Board of Directors. His love for woodcraft benefited many churches and individuals He built the St. James Chapel at St. Alphonsus as well as the altar, Tabernacle and chairs and choir benches for the main altar. He began Perpetual Adoration at St. Alphonsus. The Lord is My Help soup kitchen was the recipient of his administrative skill as well as his expertise in cabinetry. Habitat for Humanity also benefited from the talents and skill of Msgr. Hannon’s wood working. He was well known for distributing all the toys he made to needy children at Christmas. He was recognized for his charitable and loving gifts to the community with numerous rewards including Outstanding Mississippi Knight of Columbus, WLOX Person of the Week, and in 2005 he was honored with the Mississippi Ageless Heroes Award. He has been featured in local and national publications. When he was no longer able to work in his shop, he taught several people his wood working skills and continued to counsel and comfort any one who needed help. On his 88th birthday this year, he was awarded the Key to the City of Ocean Springs by Mayor Connie Moran. Monsignor Hannon faithfully served the Church and the people of Mississippi for most of his life. It is with thanks and appreciation that we acknowledge his loving service of sixty three years. People all along the Gulf Coast knew and loved him. He will be missed greatly but his many good works will live on to remind us of his living presence. He was preceded in death by his parents Mary and Patrick Hannon, 4 brothers and sisters. He leaves behind many loving nieces and nephews at home in Ireland and in the United States, his devoted caregiver Joyce Wilson and many precious friends as well as families of which he became a treasured member. Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, March 19, 2008 1:00 p.m. at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. Friends may visit from 10:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the church. Interment is at Evergreen Cemetery, Ocean Springs, MS. Arrangements made by Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes, Ocean Springs, MS. Family prefers memorials to St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 502 Jackson Avenue, Ocean Springs, MS 39564.