Brian Francis Flanagan, Sr., age 67 of Grand Rapids, died Friday October 3rd, 2014. He was preceded in death by his parents, Major (ret.) Charles C., Sr. and Constance Flanagan; father-in-law, Terry Gillespie; brother-in-law, Dan Gillespie; sister-in-law, Peggy Pittman. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Kathy; children, Kim and Kevin Labadie, Brian and Amy, Terry and Julie and Michael “Flanny” Flanagan; grandchildren, Christopher and Caitlin Labadie, Bradley, Conor, Adam and Ashlynn Flanagan; sisters and brother, Maureen Flanagan, Charlene and Gary Hesselink, Linda and Tim Savage, Pat Flanagan and Charles Flanagan, Jr.; mother-in-law, Barb Gillespie; brothers and sisters-in-law, Tom, Pat and Carol, Sarah and Mary Gillespie and Adell Pittman; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Brian was born in St. Albans, VT and became an Army brat, being raised in Germany and Ft. Dix, NJ before moving with his family to Grand Rapids in 1960. He was a 1964 graduate of Catholic Central, attended Aquinas College and served six years in the Michigan National Guard. Brian was proud to tell of the 2 years he spent as an orderly in the emergency room at the then Butterworth Hospital. He then spent 35 years as a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service and for the last 10+ years was a greeter at the Cascade Meijer. He was a charter member of Bishop Kevin Britt Knights of Columbus Council 8117, Pathfinder Degree Staff, charter member of Fr. McGivney Assembly 2226, their Color Corps, an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish and an avid Fighting Irish fan. GO IRISH!! What Brian was most proud of was being a Grandpa to his six grandchildren. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Wednesday October 8th 10:30 am at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 1449 Wilcox Park Dr. SE, Rev. James Chelich, presiding. Interment Woodlawn Cemetery. Visitation Tuesday October 7th 2-4 and 6-8 PM at O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Chapel, 3980 Cascade Rd. SE, Grand Rapids and one hour prior to the service at the church. Vigil service will be at 6:00 PM beginning the visitation at the funeral home chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Faith Hospice, 2100 Raybrook SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, Marywood Legacy Campaign, Dominican Sisters, 2025 E. Fulton St., Grand Rapids, MI 49503 or St. Mary’s Foundation for the Lacks Cancer Center, 200 Jefferson SE, Grand Rapids, MI.
