The friends were legion who learned with a deep numbing sense of grief of the passing on Friday July 12, following an illness borne with dignity and immense courage of Alan (Egg) Hannigan, formerly of Kennedy Park, Tramore, who was a deservedly popular member of an old established local family. The esteem and high regard in which Alan and his family are held was truly evidenced by the large numbers paying their respects on Friday in Falconer's funeral home and on Saturday at his parents residence, Kennedy Park, and emphasised yet again at the removal on Sunday for requiem mass. The remains were received and blessed by Monsignor Nicholas O'Mahony who said it was a sorrowful occasion for all who shared life with him and pray that all who are sorrowing will be consoled. He extended to Alan's wife, Noreen; his parents, Tommy and Joan; his sisters, Helena, Joanne, and his brother, Declan; his niece, Shauna; nephews, Adam, Ben and Liam, sincere sympathy.
When we read the Gospel that morning it told us of the sympathy and care God has for us. It is in the writings of St Luke that we find the great stories of the love, mercy and care of God we find the Prodigal Son, The Good Samaritan in St Luke. St Luke uses the story to anchor Jesus' teaching for the love we must have for God and for our neighbour, love that goes beyond all our imagination. The great poet, Dante, said that Luke was the scribe of God's gentleness, when faced with the hard question, twice by the lawyer, became the answer that he gave is now across so many societies can tell that story and know it well. Only when we feel the challenge of the story does it have a real effect on us. The word of loving my neighbour must abide in our heart. The stained glass windows in the Cathedral of Chartes depict the story of the Good Samaritan, starting off with Jesus and we finally come to the Samaritan, the man who is thrown on the ground, the face of the Good Samaritan is without doubt the same, a reminder as we go through life who our neighbour is.
Many will have memories of Alan's younger days playing with Tramore GAA club or Tramore Rangers. He was a great organiser and on the memorial table his mobile phone and mini bus keys to signify the many golf outings he led home and away, also the keys of a taxi which served on joyful and sorrowful occasions and a wheelchair access vehicle as Alan truly served all. He was an accomplished golfer and it's so sad he was taken from us a short while after his 51st birthday. For the Christian our loved ones have departed to a distant shore, our final destination, too. The prayers of the faithful stated that with thankful hearts we remember in the medical centre, palliative hospital care and Solas Centres who extended great care to Alan during his illness.
We pray that all who mourn Alan may be comforted. John 'The Miller' Power was the soloist. Patsy Flanagan paid a tribute to Alan who would come in the gate of the club on his Honda 125.
He had a great bra for the GAA as his grandfather, Pierie Cantwell, was a leading light when the club purchased the field. He was part of the team who won the senior football championship in 1984 and Egg was a great man to create team spirit. When everyone was down, he created a stir and got everybody back on track. In Lawlor's Hotel his manusl was fab and the occasion when he sat on a sand buck slipped andn asked his partner if he had ever seen an egg in a bucket? He had a tremendous work ethic and when in London kept down three jobs at the one time. His wedding day with Noreen was the liveliest day for many years. When illness struck Alan faced it very bravely and made life easy for his family and everyone around him, setting a splendid example. The Leger Social Club organised a night for Alan in the Ledger and the Grand. The club got back many of the 1984 team and associates. It gave him a great uplift to see people travelling long distance to be there. He was still organising and only a week before he had arranged a trip to Midleton for his family. Egg was a huge character who will be remembered when many more will have been forgotten. We are all better for knowing him, a very kind gentleman.
Since he passed away, several people have called to his parents house to say how tremendous he was with invalids and thanked them for the attention he gave, making sure they were safely inside their door and safely home. He was also the same with children especially those with special needs. Patsy hoped we would remember him as Egg, just as he was, full of life, divilment, blaggarding and if we do that he should be delighted with us.
Then, Monsignor O'Mahony said we had come to the last farewell, there is sadness in the parting but we take comfort in the hope that one day we shall see him again. Alan was taken to his place of rest in St Declan's Cemetery, Riverstown, attended by a large crowd of mourners. Ar dheis De go raibh a anan uasal.

Waterford News & Star, 23rd July 2013 Tweet

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