FLANAGAN, Edward J., age 84, of Billerica, MA, went to eternal rest with our heavenly Father on January 27, 2022. He was surrounded by loved ones and his faithful hunting dog, George.
Ed was born in Boston to his loving parents Bridget Grehan of Co. Galway and Edward Flanagan of Co. Mayo, Ireland. He grew up in Jamaica Plain with his sister and lifelong friend, Barbara Flanagan McKenna. Eddie attended Boston Technical High School, where he excelled at football. Upon graduation, Ed enlisted in the United States Navy and served his country for four years on active duty. Therein, he served as a Lifeguard and attained the rank of Airman.
In 1961, Ed married the love of his life, his beautiful bride Angela Domiziano. Several years later, Angela gave birth to a baby girl named Ann Marie. She was their pride and joy. Through more than fifty years of marriage, Ed and Angela never left each other’s side. His mother-in- law Anna was always there making sure Ed and his family were well fed and cared for.
As a teenager Eddie worked as a shoe shine, a caddy and at Sparr’s drugstore on Huntington Ave. He became a barber, and eventually a professional in many of the trades including being a member of Local 67 carpenters union. He went on to become a construction supervisor at Beth Israel Hospital.
He retired at the young age of 55 to pursue his true passion. Ed was an avid outdoorsman and was most at peace in nature and on the ocean. In the hunting and fishing circles of New England, he was a living legend. He was a competitive shotgunner who competed internationally and held state champion and national titles in trap, skeet and sporting clays. Most importantly, he was an honorable son, a faithful husband, a dutiful son-in-law, a devoted father, a loyal brother, a loving grandfather, a revered uncle, and a trusted and respected friend. Ed Flanagan was a man of honor with salt water in his veins.
He is survived by his daughter, Ann Marie Flanagan Delano, his grandson, Scott; his niece, nephews and their spouses, Dorothy (McKenna) & Goran Popovski, Dennis & Paula McKenna, Kevin McKenna, Matthew McKenna, Richard & Marie McKenna, and David & Nelly McKenna.
Our lives will never be the same without him.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours in the William J. Gormley Funeral Home, 2055 Centre Street, WEST ROXBURY on Wednesday, February 2nd from 4-7pm. Funeral from the funeral home on Thursday, February 3rd at 10am. followed by a Funeral Mass in Holy Name Church at 11 o’clock. Interment Forest Hills Cemetery.