Donald F. Hannon, Sr.

Dr. Donald F. Hannon Sr. passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at UPMC Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh following a brief illness. Born April 25, 1943, the only child of A. Louis and Pearl E. (Hahn) Hannon, in New Castle, he was raised on the East Side. Soon after graduating from Slippery Rock University in 1965, “Doc” returned to and later retired from his alma mater - New Castle High School – where he taught high school and junior high math and science for 30 years. In addition to his passion for mentoring young people in the classroom to rise and lead his beloved corner of western Pennsylvania into the future, the diehard Pittsburgh Steelers fan officiated almost every high school, junior high and youth sport. From fall football and volleyball to winter wrestling to spring and summer softball and baseball, Doc was a beloved figure on gridirons, mats, and diamonds throughout the region.

In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by several aunts, uncles and cousins, and countless friends and colleagues who grew to be part of his extended family over the years.

He is survived by his children, Donald F. (Donny) Hannon, Jr., and his wife, Sharon, of Lake Worth, Fla.; his daughter, Andrea (Andie) Hannon, of Chicora, Pa.; his daughter Megan, and her husband, Brad Bauer, of Marietta, Ohio; and his three cherished grandchildren, Theodore (Teddy) Bauer, Katherine (Katie) Bauer, and Andrew Bauer, all of Marietta.

A firm believer in the power of education, Doc earned his master’s degree and doctorate degree in education from the University of Pittsburgh. He was a life-long member of the Slippery Rock Alumni Association and the Theta Chi Alumni Association, having helped establish the fraternity at the college in 1964. He was a member of the University of Pittsburgh Alumni Association, Kappa Delta Phi, the American Federation of Teachers, the Pennsylvania Federation of Teachers, and the New Castle Federation of Teachers. He was also a member of the American Chemical Society; the National Association of Sports Officials; the National Association of Science Teachers; the National Association of Secondary School Principals; the National Federation of High School Officials, a long-time member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles #455, and numerous other sports officials’ associations in both Pennsylvania and Ohio. While he may have left the classroom in the late 1990s, Doc could still be found on football fields, volleyball courts, wrestling mats, and baseball and softball diamonds across western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio - continuing his love of officiating youth sports until his daughters finally talked the league directors into scaling back his assigned games after he turned 80.

Doc loved traveling to Marietta to spend time with his grandchildren, often serving as an “unofficial” analyst from the stands and sidelines for their sporting events – offering opinions and instant replays about good calls, bad calls, missed calls, and everything in between. He looked forward to his weekly dinners at Gallo’s with his best friends, Sybil and Arthur Epstein, was devoted to his duties as an usher for Holy Spirit Parish in New Castle and treasured his weekly breakfasts at Hazel’s so he could catch up on gossip with his fellow retired teachers.

While his larger-than-life presence and personality will surely be missed, Doc is likely already behind a heavenly home plate, umpiring a fast-pitch softball game with angels in the outfield.

Visitation will be held Monday, December 22, 2025, from 4 PM to 7 PM, at the William F. & Roger M. DeCarbo Funeral Home, 926 Cunningham Avenue. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at 10:30 AM at Holy Spirit Parish- St. Mary Church. Father Ben Barr will officiate. Burial will be in Castle View Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Lawrence County YMCA in memory of Donald Hannon, Sr.