Douglas Hanahan, age 82, formerly of Milford and currently of West Haven Connecticut, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 17th with his loving wife of 57 years, Elene Mignone, by his side.
Doug was born in Lowell, Massachusetts on February 15th 1942, to the late Paul and Jean Harbour Hanahan.
After graduation from Milford High School, he served in the United States Navy from 1960 to 1964 in the Atlantic aboard the USS Basilone, DD-824, as a Second-Class Petty Officer Quartermaster. He was the ship’s Master Helmsman.
Find out what's happening in Milfordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
He graduated from the Connecticut State Police (CSP) Academy in 1966. He served the state in various capacities until 1988. Of his time in the Connecticut State Police, he always said that “it was not a job, it was a way of life”. During his years “on the road” he became a highly decorated Connecticut State Trooper. July 11, 1969, he successfully completed the prescribed course of instruction for Scuba Divers at the Escape Training Department, Naval Submarine School, which he was extremely proud of. He participated in many diving operations for the CSP after graduation from that program. He earned a Master’s Degree from the University of New Haven in 1979. He was a Trooper at Troup F (Westbrook) where he also was a canine handler; Sergeant at Troop I (Bethany); Sergeant at Head Quarters (Hartford) to Colonel Lester Forst; and Lieutenant Commanding Officer to Troop I (Bethany). At the time of his retirement in 1988, he was the Commandant of the Connecticut State Police Academy.
Upon retirement from the CSP, he became Police Chief in Middlebury, Connecticut from 1988-1993. Doug founded Hanahan Computer Designs in 1996, which developed software for Police and Fire Departments, and he sold it in 2005. Doug volunteered for 10 years at the Springs Learning Center, New Haven, developing software for the Center.
Find out what's happening in Milfordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Doug enjoyed keeping in touch with his colleagues from the CSP, watching UConn Women’s Basketball and rooting for the New York Yankees.
Along with his wife, Elene and his 19-year-old cat, Bandit, Doug is survived by his siblings, Gerald (Lorraine) Hanahan, Dennis (Laura) Hanahan, Robert (Elizabeth) Hanahan, Kevin (Lori) Hanahan; his brother-in-law, Joe Dudding and his late wife, Doug’s sister-in-law JoAnn Dudding.
Family and friends are invited to gather on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Cody-White Funeral Home, 107 Broad Street, Milford. Military honors will begin at 11:30 a.m. with a small service to follow. Interment will be a private Naval Burial at Sea. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice. To leave online condolences, please visit our website at www.codywhitefuneralservice.com.
