Michael James Hanrahan

Michael was born in San Diego, California, on August 3, 1952, to William Walter and Mary Lucille Whitman Hanrahan then later moved to Hawaii. The family finally settled in Annandale, Virginia, and spent the next six decades in Virginia. Growing up, Michael took part and excelled in athletics, particularly as a baseball pitcher. He attended Annandale High School where he met his life partner and high school sweetheart, Karen I. Mayer. Michael and Karen later married on September 23, 1972, and their family began soon after with the birth of their two children Shawn and Amy.

After graduating high school in 1970, he attended Madison College, (now James Madison University), where he graduated in 1974, with a Bachelor of Science in education. Later obtaining his Master of Arts, New Professional Studies: Teaching from George Mason University.

Michael and Karen moved to Culpeper to begin his career, teaching students from elementary school to middle school. He began his career at Waverley Yowell Elementary, later teaching at Madison Elementary, Criglersville Elementary School all in Madison County, moving on to then teach at Lightfoot Elementary, Locust Grove Middle School in Orange County, and finally completing his career at Cedar Lee Middle School in Fauquier County. He took a deep personal interest in every one of the legions of students whom he had the opportunity to teach over the years and aimed to inspire each of them. His personal and professional credo was to recognize the potential in everyone and help them tap into it. His students will remember his unique teaching performances and the engaging decor of his classroom, his humorous nicknames, drawings, and classroom awards, but most of all they will remember that he cared passionately about them and their success.

He was involved in local youth sports, spending time coaching soccer, and eventually coaching the Orange County High School soccer team. In his leisure time, he loved trips to Skyline Drive with his wife, traveling overseas with his wife and friends, spending time with his family and friends, playing golf with buddies including the annual Myrtle Beach golf trips, attending college football games, watching Marvel movies with his grandchildren, and yelling at the TV while watching the Redskins ineptitude these last 30 years.

Michael was a lover of all sports, but especially enjoyed rooting for his alma mater, JMU, where he and Karen enjoyed going to the home games to cheer on their football team. Michael used his teaching skills and this love of sports to coach many youth teams and was always excited to cheer on his kids and grandkids at each of their sporting events

Michael loved the annual family reunion beach trips to Emerald Iles with the Mayer sibling whom he considered his brother and sisters. He was a mentor and big brother to Laura Jaumillot, John Mayer, and Mary Ellen Nolan, and uncle to their extended families. He loved them dearly. These vacations continued for forty years and were some of his most treasured memories.

In retirement, Michael became a full-time Grandpa, nurturing a special bond of unconditional love with each of his grandkids. The fabric of those relationships is stitched with trips to the movies, sporting events, museum tours, school award ceremonies, happy tears, and most famously his ability to persuade them with a dollar to solve math problems.

Michael was a great husband, father, grandfather, teacher, co-worker, and friend. He was always there to lend a hand and expected nothing in return. Michael had a sincere regard for others. Many of his former neighbors had become lifelong friends whom he would continue to visit and spend time. He especially loved his time with Jeff and Valarie Diamond and Frank and Barbara Klagges, and their families.

Michael is survived by the love of his life, Karen Ileen, his son, Shawn Christopher of Round Hill, VA, his daughter, Amy Leigh Hanrahan Bowling, of Fredericksburg, VA, and her husband Steve Bowling, who all remain guided by his moral compass in their roles as parents, friends, and professionals. He adored being Grandpa to his five grandchildren, Ethan M., Brian D., and Dylan W. Hanrahan, Riley Helen, and Karmyn Olivia Bowling, and many nieces and nephews all of whom miss his funny antics, nicknames, book recommendations, and welcomed advice.

The family is deeply saddened by our loss, but we are equally pleased to have had the honor of having him in our lives. We remember with a smile through our tears and pride in our hearts the remarkable man Michael Hanrahan was and the opportunity that his life stands for.

Visitation will be held Friday, August 11th at 6:00 p.m.at Clore-English Funeral Home, 11190 James Monroe Hwy, Culpeper, VA 22701, and a Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, August 12th at 1 p.m. at Precious Blood Catholic Church, 114 E. Edmondson St, Culpeper, VA 22701 with celebrant Father Joseph Vu.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider donating to one of Michael’s favorite charities - Alex’s Army Childhood Cancer Foundation, and Adult Congenital Heart Association.