Walter Edmund Hanahan

Walter Edmund Hanahan, Jr. age 88, passed away in the early morning of St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2022. Walt was a third generation San Franciscan, born September 3, 1933, to Walter and Margaret (nee McQuaide) Hanahan. In 1939 when he was six, he moved across the Bay to Albany, CA with his parents and two older sisters. He graduated from Albany High School and UC Berkeley class of 1955. Upon graduation he entered the Officer Candidate School at the United States Coast Guard Academy and served three years active duty, stationed in the Artic and the South Pacific. He served in the Coast Guard Reserve for 30 years and retired as Commander.

After leaving active duty, Walt began his career in marketing and advertising in San Francisco, eventually working for Del Monte for most of his career. In 1960, he met Julie Barrett and they married in 1963. They moved to Marin in 1965, first to Corte Madera and later to Greenbrae where they resided for 51 years.

Walt was a man of duty, service, and honor. He was an Eagle Scout; served on the Marin County Grand Jury; served as a precinct captain for the Marin County Election Board; sang in the St. Sebastian choir for over 35 years; volunteered on research projects at the Buck Institute; and taught adult literacy through the Marin County Public Library. In retirement, he also enjoyed his membership in the Screen Actors Guild working as an extra in numerous TV shows and movies filmed in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Walt is survived by his wife of 58 years, Julie; his daughters Virginia Hanahan Marans (Todd) and Tory Hanahan Brubaker (Eric); and his beloved grandchildren, Michaela and Brian Marans, and Jack and Kate Brubaker. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Lorraine and Audrey, and his son, John.

A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, April 8, 2022 at 11 a.m. at St. Sebastian Church in Kentfield followed by a reception in the church hall. Donations may be made in Walt’s memory to the Wounded Warrior Project and St. Vincent de Paul.