Obituary of William J. Flanagan

William J. Flanagan, 85, of Peabody, died November 5, 2009 at the Pilgrim Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center, Peabody after a short illness. He was the husband of Laura (Costantini) Flanagan and enjoyed more than 61 years of a happy marriage. He was born in Boston, MA, the son of the late William and Anna (Cody) Flanagan and was a graduate from Mechanic Arts High School in Boston. He first worked for the Ciba Co. in Boston and attended Lowell Textile Institute evening school. He then enlisted in the US Army of May 14, 1943 and was shipped to Camp Pickett in VA. For 3 months in the medical corps and later to Ft. McPherson in Atlanta GA and later to Ft. Jackson in New Orleans, LA. He then was transported to the south pacific where he served in New Guinea and the Philippines. After the surrender of Japan, he was Stationed in Wakyama , Hiroshima and Kyoto before coming home to Seattle, WA. He was discharged on June 12, 1946 as a Staff Sergeant. Following his discharge, he returned to Ciba Company and Lowell Textile Institute receiving an associate degree in 1948. He had been an active member of the American Association of Textile Chemist and Coloristsfor 50 years and was also a member of the Technical Association of Paper and Pulp Industry and Drysalters Club of New England and the National Association of Textile Supervisors. Mr. Flanagan had been president of the Mass Parents for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for eight years. He was instrumental along with the late Kevin Harrington, President of the Mass Senate, in the passing of bill #766 which helps all children with a handicap or disability receive a free education in the Commonwealth of Mass until the age of 23. He had been President of the Beverly School for the Deaf PTA for 12 years. He also was committee chairman of Boy Scout Troop 103 at St. Adelaide’s Church and was a member of the Peabody Historical Society, the AARP in Peabody, the Italian Genealogical Society and served as Surgeon and Chaplin of the VFW Post 2005 in Marblehead. Surviving him besides his wife are a daughter, Laureen Flanagan and her husband, Ken Toleos of Peabody, two sons, Dr. William Flanagan Jr. and his wife Susan (Ricci) Flanagan of Dudley, MA and Kenneth Flanagan of North Reading, five grandchildren, Julie Waller and her husband Rick of Beverly, Barbara Vigorito and her husband Joseph of Fairfield, CT, Brian Flanagan of Los Angeles CA, Joy and Caitlin Flanagan of Worcester, two great grandchildren, Nathan and Joshua Waller of Beverly and many nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Joseph Flanagan. A visitation will be held on Sunday from 2-4 & 6-8 PM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at the 82 Lynn St., Peabody facility. His funeral will be held on Monday at 10:00 AM from the funeral home followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Adelaide’s Church, West Peabody at 11 AM Burial in Oak Grove Cemetery, West Peabody. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in his name to the Joslin Diabetes Center, One Joslin Place, Boston, MA 02215 or to Hospice of No Shore, 75 Sylvan St., Danvers, MA 01923 in his memory.