John F. Hanson

John F. Hanson, 82, of Worcester, passed away on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at Christopher House of Worcester.

John was born in Brighton, son of the late Charles R. and Mary H. (McPherson) Hanson and lived most of his life in Worcester.

He leaves several nephews and many great-nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sisters, Jane E. Rourke, Mary Ann Gallagher, Rose T. Hanson and his nephew, James F. Rourke III.

After graduating from St. Peter’s High School, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of the Holy Cross, a Bachelor of Divinity and Masters of Divinity from St. Bernard’s Seminary, Rochester, NY and a Masters of Education from Worcester State College. Following graduation from Holy Cross, he served for one year as an Extension Society Lay Volunteer in the diocese of Pueblo, Colorado.

Ordained to the priesthood in 1969, John taught at Marian High School, Worcester. Subsequently he worked as a School Guidance Counselor and Special Education Chairman at Norton Middle School, Norton; a Guidance and College placement Counselor at Holy Name Central Catholic High School, Worcester and Principal of Our Lady of the Angels Memorial Elementary School, Worcester, where he successfully supervised the first independent accreditation of the school through the New England Association of Schools and Colleges in 1996.

John enjoyed travelling throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and numerous European countries. While at Holy Name he introduced a student volunteer program at Camp Sunshine on Lake Sebago, Maine.  That program has since spread throughout the diocese and county of Worcester.

After retirement in 2004 he lived for several years in West Palm Beach, FL, before returning to Worcester in 2016.

Following cremation, calling hours will be held at Christ the King Church, 1052 Pleasant St., Worcester on Wednesday, October 23, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. followed by the celebration of a Mass of Resurrection at 11 a.m.  Internment of cremains will be in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bangor, Maine at the convenience of the family.

John, whose faith in Catholicism was very important, requested that memorial donations be made to the Outreach Program in which he volunteered or to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, both at Holy Name of Jesus Church, 345 So. Military Trail, West Palm Beach, FL 33409.

The Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester is directing the arrangements.