James A. Flanagan, 90, of New Bedford passed away Wednesday March 30, 2016 surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of Elizabeth A. (Smith) Flanagan; they had been married for 56 years.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late John J. and Annie V. (O’Donnell) Flanagan, he lived in New Bedford all of his life. He was a lifelong communicant of Holy Name Church, where he served as an altar boy, Catholic Charities collector, Confirmation class teacher, and Eucharistic Minister.
Mr. Flanagan was a graduate of Holy Family High School, New Bedford Institute of Technology and Bridgewater State College. He had also attended the Harvard University Extension program.
Mr. Flanagan began his long career in education in the New Bedford Public School System, before moving to Southeastern Massachusetts University where he was the Director of Career Planning and Placement for 25 years. He was also well known in the area for running the “Dan the Candy Man” fair stand that he and his brother Dan owned.
He later was the Director of Drug and Alcohol Treatment for the Bristol County Sheriff’s Department. He had also served as an urban renewal advisor to Mayor Edward Harrington from 1961-1969.
During World War II, he served as a Flight Officer with the U.S. Army Air Corps.
He was active in many community organizations, including the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, the New Bedford Kiwanis Club, the New Bedford Stamp Collectors Club, the Southeastern Massachusetts University Alumni Association, the New Bedford Teachers Association, the New Bedford Council on Substance Abuse, and Reflections, an alcohol and drug free club.
He was an avid runner, having participated in numerous road races throughout the years. In 1989, he was elected to the SMU Hall of Fame for his past abilities as a player and coach.
Survivors include his wife; two children, Maureen Flanagan-Rocha and her husband William of Lakeville, and James A. Flanagan, Jr. and his wife Joann of Fairhaven; a sister, Mary Silvia and her husband Clarence of Brewster; six devoted grandchildren, William Rocha, Jr., Shaun Rocha, Bethany Rocha, Matthew Rocha, Kaya Flanagan, and Emma Flanagan; and many nieces and nephews.
He was the brother of the late John J. Flanagan and Daniel F. Flanagan.
His Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday April 2, 2016 at 10 AM at Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. At his request, visiting hours are omitted. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 4021, New Bedford, MA 02740. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.