Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Mickey Hannon - Eulogy
The Hannon family has asked me to express what the family feels to those who mourn with us today. As one of Mr. Hannon's three sons in law, I am honored and deeply touched to be given such a privilege.
We loved him as a father, as husband, as brother, as grandfather and as father-in-law. And he gave us innumerable reasons to do so.
Mickey was kind and warm and genuine. He was a dedicated family man who worked hard to provide for his wife and children. And he was a caring and loving friend.
As a young man, Mickey was a gifted basketball player and a fierce competitor. His accomplishments on the court include: member of the 1953 Seton Hall NIT Championship Basketball team, a 1975 induction into the Seton Hall Athletic Hall of Fame, and a freshman scoring record of 666 points that still stands today. But what has impressed me most about his college basketball days were his actions off the court and away from the cheering fans.
In early 1953, after a controversial loss to Dayton, Seton Hall accepted their defeat and went on to Louisville. Once there, they were told that not all members of the team could stay in the hotel. Apparently Jim Crow took issue with the fact that Seton Hall's center was black. This was after all, 1953. Mickey and his teammates were incensed. So in a show of solidarity, the team chose instead to sleep in an old train, where the coach managed to get heat connected for the night. Mickey told me it was one long, cold, uncomfortable night. He described how Walter Dukes the 7' center, who would remain a lifelong friend, spent the night folded in his Pullman bunk, dealing with the outrage privately. Each time Mickey told this story you could see the pain in his face. The indignation suffered by his teammates in 1953 continued to haunt him for the rest of his life. I've always felt that story captured the real Mickey and said more about his character than all the trophies and records combined.
Mickey was born "Michael William Hannon in Brooklyn, NY. He was the dear brother of Joseph Hannon, Gerard Hannon and Mildred Koehler. He adored his brothers and sister and his numerous nieces and nephews and he would always be at his best while in their company.
Mickey loved people and loved entertaining friends and family at his home. Dinner at the Hannon's was always an event. Mickey would man the bar and Alice would prepare these elaborate multi-course meals. And the table was banquet sized just like Mickey's portions. While us mere mortals ate off plates, Mickey would be served on a platter! And of course he would honor Alice by going back for seconds and thirds! For a tall thin guy, Mickey sure didn't eat like one! And then Mickey would make a ritual of checking his weight. He would do this by pinching his midsection at the table. If he pinched more than an inch he would give Alice strict instructions - no sweets of any kind for a week. It was hilarious. And it worked. Mickey managed to eat like a horse his whole life and never gained an ounce.
Mickey also loved spending his summers at the Jersey Shore. Mickey tended bar evenings at Jimmy Burns Sea Girt Inn and the Royal Manor, and spent his Summer days on the beach with his family. Year after year, the Hannon's were a fixture on the Belmar Beach. Twentieth Avenue to be precise, right alongside the Sullivans, Smedbergs, Hunts, the Reegans and the Cox's. After a long night of work, Mickey would often come home at 2 or 3AM, yet he would beat the lifeguards to the beach the following morning, with his son Michael, and daughters Lisa, Tara and Marla in tow.
Mickey lead a good life, but it was not free of sorrow. Mickey and Alice experienced the indescribable pain and devastation of the death of their son Michael. The experience marked them as it did the entire family. But Mickey and the Hannon family never lost their love of life. Mickey never lost his faith in God. Mickey never became a bitter man. Instead he found solace in his work and in his family. And he dedicated himself wholeheartedly to both. He found comfort in the love of his life - Alice - and in the three daughters he was so proud of.
Later in life, his grandchildren would bring tremendous joy to his life, a joy that illuminated his face whenever you saw them together. Whether it was teaching Michael, TJ and Mikey to play hoops or just sitting with Amanda, Sarah and Alina at the Shore, Mickey relished being a Grandfather and showering his grandchildren with love.
In the words of Miguel de Cervantes - "It seldom happens that any felicity comes so pure as not to be tempered and allayed by some mixture of sorrow." We've all lost a friend, we've lost a champion, and we're going to take some time to adjust. As individuals, we may not be able to match Mickey Hannon's athletic ability or strength, but we can all strive to match his humanity and compassion for others. His values were strong, they are timeless; and they will endure.
God bless you - Michael William Hannon.
