Frank Hanrahan

Frank Hanrahan

November 29, 1943 – May 15, 2025

Born November 29,1943, in New York City to Francis M (II) and Anita (Bay) Hanrahan, Frank grew up and lived in the Bronx through college. While still in New York City, Frank met his wife of 59 years, Pat. The map of their life together is a map of the world. After numerous job-related moves that crisscrossed the United States, Frank and Pat settled with their two children, Carson and Megan, in Hingham, Massachusetts, their home base for the next 40 years. They moved to Venice, Florida, in 2020.

Frank was passionate about cooking, travel, racing his souped-up Miata on the track, and astronomy, the last of which led him and Pat on many far-flung journeys to witness astronomical events. He and Pat relished their roles as culinary patriarch and matriarch at his son’s annual Feast of the Seven Fishes on many Christmas Eves in South Portland, Maine, an annual event that brought family together before the fire for a marathon meal and holiday cheer. Though keeping his eyes on the stars, Frank never lost his love of the sea, and his marine engineering education served him well when he owned and piloted two pleasure boats in and around Massachusetts Bay. His comfort on board ships also translated to a love of cruises, which regularly took him and Pat to some of the wonders of the world and beyond. Frank and Pat’s journeys together, by sea, air, or any mode of transport, took them to all parts of the globe, including Easter Island and French Polynesia, Egypt, India, multiple destinations in Europe and Latin America, Moscow, Romania, and Vietnam to name a few. Their dedication to seeing the world together sometimes meant that if Frank’s job required him to travel abroad, Pat would simply schedule her vacation time to coincide and join him. A particular highlight of their life on the road was a trip on board the Orient Express, tuxedos, evening gowns, and all.

Frank attended State University of New York Maritime College at Fort Schuyler, where he earned his Bachelor of Marine Engineering and United States Coast Guard (USCG) License as Third Engineer on steam and motor vessels of any horsepower and sailed for a year in the Merchant Marine. He served in the US National Guard and Coast Guard Reserve, from which he retired as Lt. Commander and Commander of Station-Scituate in Massachusetts. After earning his MBA from Syracuse University in Syracuse, NY, Frank’s subsequent career included posts in manufacturing, first for General Electric, then various circuit board manufacturers, and finally for medical device manufacturing companies, from which he retired in 2018 as Vice President and Global Head of Operations.

His love of exquisite food and wine, his precision as an engineer, and leadership skills made Frank a memorable and respected co-worker during his career. Some former colleagues particularly remember one gastronomic event with him and Pat, a special dinner in Nice, France, with fondness. Fellow engineering team members recall Frank’s generosity as a leader and his multi-generational impact. Two colleagues remember the positive role model he was when they were young engineers, which set the foundation for their career trajectories, including their current jobs at Amazon Robotics. The son of another former co-worker will do an internship with that company as a Georgia Tech student this year. Frank’s professionalism, his colleague said, is continuing to ripple into the future and ‘pay it forward’ among young engineers, long after his work with the original leadership team where they first met (at the firm Beaver Visitech International, BVI.)

Friends, children, and grandchildren remember a man full of curiosity, who continued learning, exploring the world, cooking up a storm, and taking a genuine interest in people and their stories throughout his life.

“I remember your grandfather taking the time to talk with me—he even let me crash at your place. We had a good conversation about me joining the Army, being a "beetle cruncher," as he called it. He was incredibly kind, and he made me feel seen and heard, which meant a lot. He was also funny as hell and shared some great advice and stories that I’ll always remember. Talking to him felt like being with another member of my own family. I’ll truly miss him.”

“He was friendly and had a very warm smile. You could feel it from across the room. I can see it now. He was clever and funny in a thoughtful way and made me feel like life was interesting. He was understated and calm. He was composed. He was very smart, and he always made me feel welcome. It was a pleasure to know him.”

“I always remember how much he loved showing us around his house and all the unique things he had collected. He was clearly a cool, welcoming guy who took real pride in his space. What stood out to me most was how genuinely interested he was—he asked thoughtful, specific questions about ice skating, not just the usual small talk. It really made an impression on me.”

“He was the ‘stealer of noses.’ He was generous with sound advice when asked. With his huge heart, he played father figure to many of my friends when needed. While he accomplished many things in his life, he was most proud of his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and family. He was an amazing dancer with a contagious laugh. He was a man who traveled the world, but there was no place like home. He very much was The Man, The Myth, The Legend. And his wit was as fast as his Miata.”

“Frank had a keen and curious mind, and he loved to learn. After he retired, he enrolled in the Great Courses online to continue educating himself in multiple sciences, travel, and the world around us. His curiosity no doubt inspired his love for travel and a desire to explore new places and cultures. Frank became an excellent cook in later years. He pursued cooking with his trademark curiosity and eagerness to learn and experiment. Meeting [Chef] Jacques Pepin was one of his most cherished memories and the photograph from that occasion hung reverently in the kitchen.”

Frank’s sense of humor even extended to how he often chose to say good-bye, Pat recalls. With a nod to Tigger of Winnie the Pooh, he’d simply say, “TTFN … ta-ta for now.”

Frank is survived by his wife of 59 years, Patricia M. (Patterson), previously of Hingham, MA, and currently of Venice, FL; his son, Carson M. and his wife Christina Napoli of South Portland, ME; and his daughter, Elizabeth Megan of Crystal River, FL. He is also survived by his many grandchildren, Kieran and Duncan Hanrahan, R.J. and Briana Hanrahan, Colin, Tyler, Madison, Lindsey, and Logan Arris, and great grandchild Sophie Hanrahan.

There will be no funeral services. Frank’s ashes will be scattered off the Coast of Maine. There will be a celebration of his life at a date and location to be determined later. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that Frank be remembered by spending time with your loved ones and donating, in his name, to your local hospice and to dementia research.