RINGWOOD, N.J. — Martin Hanhauser, OFM, 98, a professed Franciscan friar for 77 years and a priest for 72, died Aug. 16 at Holy Name Friary. He was the oldest friar in the Province at the time of his death.
A wake will be held from 9 to 10:15 a.m. on Aug. 21 in St. Mary of the Angels Chapel at Siena College. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow there at 10:30 a.m. Provincial Minister Kevin Mullen, OFM, will celebrate the Eucharist, and William Beaudin, OFM, will deliver the homily. Interment will follow at St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands, N.Y.
Early Years
Born on Nov. 10, 1915 in St. Mary’s, Pa., to Frederick and Mary, he graduated from Strong Vincent High School in Erie, Pa., in 1933. After attending Gannon Cathedral College for two years, he was received into the Order at St. Bonaventure Church in Paterson, N.J., in 1936.
Martin professed first vows there the following year and earned a degree from St. Bonaventure University in 1939. He made his solemn profession in 1940 in Washington and in 1942 was ordained a priest.
Ministry
He spent the next 40 years of his ministry in higher education. Martin began teaching mathematics at St. Bonaventure University in 1943. After two years, he transferred to Siena College, where he was a professor and head of the mathematics department until 1982. During this time, he earned a master’s degree and doctorate in math and physics from St. Louis University in 1952 and 1956, respectively. He also served as chairman of the science division at Siena from 1963 to 1966.
Following his career in academia, Martin served at a number of ministries, including St. Francis Chapel in Providence, R.I., from 1982 to 1983, and as director of Anthony House in Jersey City, N.J., from 1983 to 1986. He served at St. Anthony Shrine in Boston from 1986 to 1990.
He retired to St. Anthony Friary in St. Petersburg, Fla., in 1993 and transferred to St. Anthony Residence, Boston, in 2003. He had resided at Holy Name Friary in Ringwood since 2006.
Martin is survived by his nephew, Urban Behringer, of Erie, Pa.
Memorial donations may be sent to Franciscan Friars-Holy Name Province, 144 West 32nd St., New York NY 10001.
— Compiled by Carolyn Croke and Maria Hayes
Editor’s note: Fr. Martin shared his memories of Siena College in the following video, recorded in 2009.