Spiritus est qui vivificat...

Former HGP Headmaster Fr. Francis X. Hanley, C.S.Sp., Dies at Age 79

Father Francis X. Hanley, C.S.Sp., 79, former Headmaster of Holy Ghost Preparatory School, died suddenly Wednesday, December 23 of heart failure while visiting with family in Delaware. In September, Fr. Hanley became one of the inaugural recipients of the HGP Anima Una Award.

Father Hanley was born April 23, 1931 in Wilmington DE. He professed his vows August 22, 1954 at Holy Ghost Novitiate, Ridgefield CT and was ordained to the priesthood June 4, 1959 at St. Mary’s Seminary, Ferndale, Norwalk CT.

He became a member of the faculty of Holy Ghost Preparatory School, Bensalem PA in 1961 and in 1968 was named Head Master of the School and served in that capacity until 1977. He was assigned to Duquesne University in 1977 and served in various other ministries in the province including novice master and director of the provinciial retreat center over the next thirty years. He recently retired and was a resident of Libermann Hall, Bethel Park since March 2010.

There will be viewing at the Spiritan Center, 6230 Brush Run Road, Bethel Park - Tuesday, December 28, 3:00-5:00 and 7:00-9:00 PM and Wednesday December 29, 9:00-10:30 AM followed by Mass of Resurrection. Burial will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery, O’Hara Township, Pittsburgh PA.

Please refer to Notice in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for additional information

I last time saw Fr. Hanley is when a friend and I took a bus ride to see St. Joe's play Duquesne back in '01. St. Joe's was up by 20 the entire game and the gym was mostly empty. One Duke supporter took it upon himself to constantly insult Phil Martelli and his son, who while on the team didn't get much playing time. We were sitting near Phil's wife, Judy, when she told him to lay off her son. We talked to him and he did lay off Phil Jr. After the game I see Fr. Hanley, who was the team chaplain, come storming across the court, walk up the bleachers, and give it to this ill-mannered kid with both barrels, for about five minutes. Reminded me of my days at Ghost ;-)

Enjoy your eternal reward Father. Requiescat in Pace.