Dr. Zakaria Guirguis Hanna

Dr. Zakaria Hanna, 97, of Denver, Colorado, passed away peacefully on May 18, 2026. A devoted husband, brilliant research scientist, and lifelong role model of how to live, love, and enrich the life of others.

He is survived by Mary Frances Hanna - his wife of 42 years. Uncle Zakaria will forever be cherished by his nephews, nieces, their children, and their grandchildren in Egypt, United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States.

The youngest of 7 siblings, Zak was curious, rebellious, and resourceful since childhood, and as if he wanted to make up for being the last of 7 to join the living, he wanted to live it the longest and to the fullest - and he succeeded.

He understood the richness that comes with foreign travel and the transformational power of education since young age. With rigor and determination, he pursued the highest-level of learning at reputable universities, first in Cairo, then in Hungary, and Austria. Zak’s career spanned senior positions at research centers, academic institutions, and industry, culminating with his role as a Principal Research Scientist, Ceramics Division of the Coors Porcelain Company, a former subsidiary of today’s Molson Coors Beverage Company.

Zak became a role model to many, including his family at his home country, Egypt. Not only did he inspire us to pursue success through education, but he also helped pave the way for many of us to transplant in the United States, where careers can find no boundaries.

A Greek proverb comes to mind when we think of uncle Zakaria: a society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.

In the latter years of his life, Zak beat cancer, and heart disease. He would have benefited from advances in kidney research, had they existed today. In lieu of flowers, the Hanna family request that you kindly consider supporting ongoing scientific research for kidney patients by donating directly to the American Kidney Fund. https://give.kidneyfund.org

A legacy Rooted in Family:

In the United States, Zak is survived by his wife of 42 years, Mary Frances Hanna, his nephews and respective wives: Farid Kamel and Nadine Mikhaeel, Shacker and Mary Mourad, as well as Atef and Olivia Aziz. He is deeply missed by his niece Liz Winship and her husband Bill, in addition to his nephew, Michael Hanna and his wife Maria, along with their daughters and sons in the UK.

He will also be forever cherished in Egypt by his nieces Shadia Aziz, Hala Kamal Hanna, and Nagwa and her husband, Morad Botros, as well as Zak’s nephew Sameh Aziz, in addition to Samir Achaia.

Zak is lovingly remembered by his grandnieces and grandnephews, Josette Kamel, Hannah Mourad, Andrew Kamel, and Samuel Mourad in the U.S, as well as by Marina Botros, and Miriam Botros and her family in Germany. He also leaves behind other grandnieces and grandnephews, along with their respective families, in Egypt: Dina, Mina and Mariam Sleim, and Karin and Katrina Sameh, as well as Mario and Pearla Achaia.

In the United States, Zak is also survived by relatives of other families, their spouses and their respective sons and daughters: the Armanious family: Christina, Michael, Sherrie, and Timothy; the Awad family: Magdi, Azmy, Safwat, and Makram; and the Zachary family: Leila, Mounir, Sarah, Maged, and Boshra.

A celebration of Zak’s remarkable life will begin at 11:00 AM, on May 26th, 2026, at Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary, 7777 W 29th Ave, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033.