Irish-American with strong Roscommon connections mourned in US
The late John Patrick Flanagan.
The death occurred recently in the US of Mr John Patrick Flanagan, born December 27th, 1929. He passed away, surrounded by loving family, on March 30thin Orangevale, CA, at the age 94. He previously was a resident of Holmdel and Red Bank, NJ.
John was a son of the late James Flanagan who emigrated from Cornashinagh, Fourmilehouse to Pennsylvania in 1912, as did many of his siblings. John was a frequent visitor to Roscommon, and regularly attended Mass in St. Brigid's Church, Fourmilehouse, where his ancestors were baptised and worshipped.
He was born to James and mother Anna (nee Madigan) Flanagan, another Irish immigrant, in Altoona, Pennyslvania, a railroad founded community nestled in the Allegheny Mountains.
His work ethic was ingrained at an early age when he delivered newspapers, worked at a local butcher shop, lit weekend fires for his Orthodox neighbours, and found many ways to contribute to the family. That work ethic served him well throughout his professional and religious life.
He was ordained a permanent Deacon in 1981 for the Diocese of Trenton, NJ, and served as a Deacon at the Church of St. Catharine in Holmdel, where he resided and ministered for more than 40 years. He received the Papal Bene Merenti Medal at the Trenton Diocesan Eucharistic Congress in October 2012. He was also the author of several books relating to his ministry as a Deacon and a man of deep Catholic faith.
John served with the US Marine Corps during the Korean War. Storyteller extraordinaire, he will be remembered for his Irish wit and great sense of humour, his love of a good joke, and his devotion to helping others.
Professionally, he was President of Management Seminars, NYC; Director of Stewardship, Diocese of Trenton; founder and President of Catholic Church Campaigns; Programme Director, Insurance Division, American Management Association, NYC; and Director of Property & Casualty Licensing Sales and Product Training for Prudential’s subsidiary Pruco Insurance where he retired as vice-president of administration.
Predeceased by his loving wife, Eileen, and siblings Marjorie, Robert and Joseph Flanagan, John is survived by his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
John is also survived by sisters-in-law Jeannette Flanagan (New Jersey); Maura Dillon (South Carolina); Rita Grant and husband Robert (Ireland); Mary Donohoe (Ireland); brother-in-law Sean Donohoe and wife Doreen (Ireland); He also leaves behind many loving nieces and nephews.
