William J. (Bill) Flanigan, 84, of Marshfield, MA, passed away after a brief illness March 15, 2014. Bill was born November 5, 1929, the son of William E. and Mabel Flanigan, and was the husband of the late Doris A. Flanigan.
Bill grew up on Fulda Street in Roxbury, MA and attended Saint Joseph’s Grammar School. He left high school early to enlist. After serving in the US Army from 1946 – 1948, including a tour of duty in Italy, he resumed his education and graduated from Boston Technical High School in 1949. He was then employed at Sears Roebuck, as a stock boy, and met his future bride Doris. They were married in August 1958 and moved to Marshfield where they raised their family.
After many years of night school, while working full time, he graduated with Honors from Lowell Technological Institute in 1970 with a degree in Engineering Technology. Bill worked for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Works for 29 years as a Civil Engineer. His final position was District 7 State Aid Engineer where his duties included assisting local communities with the design, construction, and state funding of various roadway improvement projects.
Bill was also a member of the Marshfield Planning Board for a number of years. One of the Planning Board’s crowning achievements during his time in office was the completion of the new road to the town pier.
Bill was an ardent fan of the Red Sox and Patriots and an avid golfer for many years as a member of Pembroke Country Club. In his heyday, “Golfing at Pembroke was an all-day affair; you played early and left late”.
Bill was the loving father of W. Scott Flanigan and his wife Sonja of Aberdeen, MD, Patricia Flanigan of Marshfield and Paul Flanigan and his wife Cara of Andover, MA. Loving grandfather of Katherine, Casey and Kristen. Brother of Robert Flanigan and his wife Terry of Horsham, PA , and the late Evelyn R. Flanigan and Paul J. Flanigan. Dear cousin to Marie and Clare Glynn of Braintree. The family would like to extend their deepest thanks to Patty Kemp of Hanover who was a true friend and caregiver to Bill for the past couple of years. Their games of cards were very serious and not to be interrupted.
Family and friends are invited to visiting hours at the MacDonald Funeral Home, 1755 Ocean St. (Route 139), Marshfield on Thursday March 20, 2014 from 4 to 8 p.m. The funeral procession will depart from the funeral home on Friday March 21 at 9:00 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Ann by the Sea Church, 591 Ocean St., Marshfield at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be in Couch Cemetery.