Anthony Hannigan

Anthony Hannigan, 57, of Wellsboro PA, passed away on August 6th after an incredibly courageous and years-long battle with several cancers.

Born in May 1965, in Baltimore, MD, he was the son of the late James Hannigan and Patricia Sweeney Hannigan. The family relocated to the Ransom Township section of NEPA, where Anthony honed his love for the outdoors: The wilderness, hunting and fishing... and eventually music... what he was best known for. From such humble roots grew a man who played world stages but never forgot his friends, family, and humble beginnings.

Anthony was a 1983 graduate of Abington Heights High School and went on to take college courses and certification trainings in Network Communications, through which he made a living. All the while, since early teenage years, the music "bug" got the better of Anthony and his beyond worldly talent led him to numerous local and national acts. After learning to play guitar, banjo, fiddle, and mandolin with his father Jim's oversight, he joined the "bluegrass circuit" with his father (all the while dabbling in rock and roll with his superior skills) and eventually formed "The Hickory Project", a world-class bluegrass/"newgrass" act that afforded he and his mates to record several albums and to travel to many countries. Anthony was most proud of his founding of the famous annual Cornstalk Bluegrass Festival.

At the height of his popularity, the first of his illnesses moved in and took away his mobility and ability - but never his talent. Anthony fought hard to regain the skills he once possessed, but never complained despite holding the title of a National Mandolin competition winner. He simply enjoyed the music of those around him who would gather to play while he would sing.

Surviving are children: Casey Dunleavy-Hannigan, Scranton, Elsa and Ava-Belle, Stafford, VA; brother Brian Hannigan, Orlando, Fla; sisters Twila LaBar, Tennessee, and Jamie and Lindsay Hannigan, Clarks Summit.

Anthony was preceded in death by a brother, James.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, August 20 ^th at 10:00 a.m. at Church of Saint Benedict, 1849 Newton-Ransom Blvd, Clarks Summit, PA 18411. Interment will follow at Milwaukee Cemetery, Ransom Township. Friends will be received at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the service.

Everyone is invited to a gathering of music, food, and friends at the Ransom Township Pavilion, 3150 Main Street, Ransom afterwards. Bring a drink or dish to share.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the donor's choice of musical charity or to children's music/disability music programs.

The family would like to thank all those who took the time to help Anthony at home, for his many medical visits, or just to play and sing music with him.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 418 South State Street, Clarks Summit.