John Patrick Flanagan, born Dec. 27, 1929, passed away surrounded by loving family March 30, 2024, in Orangevale, California, at age 94. He previously was a resident of Holmdel and Red Bank.
Born to Irish immigrant parents James and Anna (née Madigan) Flanagan in Altoona, Pennsylvania, a railroad-founded community nestled in the Allegheny Mountains, John’s work ethic was ingrained at an early age when he delivered newspapers, worked at a local butcher shop, lit weekend fires for his Orthodox neighbors, 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 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 Benemerenti 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.
Professionally, John was president of Management Seminars, NYC; director of stewardship, Diocese of Trenton; founder and president of Catholic Church Campaigns; program 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.
John served with the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War.
A storyteller extraordinaire, John will be remembered for his Irish wit and great sense of humor, his love of a good joke, and his devotion to helping others.
Predeceased by his loving wife, Eileen, and siblings Marjorie, Robert and Joseph Flanagan, John leaves behind children: Siobhan Samuel (husband Tim, children: Tim (wife Amie), Patrick (wife Lauren), Brendan and Aislinn, and great-grandchildren Leo and Henry); Deirdre Ward (husband Joseph, children: Joseph, Kevin, Terence, Patrick and Maeve); Sean Flanagan (fiancée Michele Meglio, children: Riley and Owen); Aileen Davis (fiancé Tim, children: Wade, Shea, Evan, John Patrick, Cole and Ashley); and Noreen Flanagan (wife Brandi, and children: Fionn and Feena).
John is also survived by sisters-in-law Jeannette Flanagan of New Jersey, Maura Dillon of South Carolina, Rita Grant and husband Robert (Ireland), and Mary Donohoe (Ireland); and brother-in-law Sean Donohoe and wife Doreen (Ireland). He also leaves behind many loving nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Catholic Charities.
Visitation was April 12 at Holmdel Funeral Home, Holmdel. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered April 13 at the Church of St. Catharine, Holmdel. Interment followed at St. Gabriel’s Cemetery, Marlboro.
For messages of condolence or to share a favorite memory of John, please visit his page of tribute at holmdelfuneralhome.com.
The article originally appeared in the April 18 – 24, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
