Thomas M. Flanagan

FUNERAL HOME

Andrew J. Magni & Son Funeral Home

365 Watertown Street, Rt. 16

Newton, Massachusetts

Thomas Flanagan Obituary

FLANAGAN, Thomas M. Of Newton, 88 years old, passed away peacefully Dec. 3. The loving husband of 67 years of Letitia C. (Halfrey) Flanagan of Newton. Tom was the recipient of a Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his service as a technical sergeant in World War II; member of the Yankee Division and 101st Infantry Associations; electrician and 55 year member of IBEW 103; communicant and former president of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Our Lady Help of Christians Parish in Newton, where he also ushered for many years; and life long fan of the Boston Red Sox and Bruins. Tom is also survived by his dear sister Eleanor Garron of Franklin, and three loving children: Richard Flanagan and wife Valerie of Newton, Kathleen Tonner and husband Michael of Raleigh, NC and John Flanagan and wife Jean of Natick; eight grandchildren: Bridget and Brianne Flanagan both of Newton, Sean Porter of Wayland, Heather Porter of Pasadena, CA and James Tonner of Raleigh, NC, Matthew Flanagan of Los Angeles, CA, Kate Flanagan of Raleigh, NC, and Michele Tate of Webster; and two great grandchildren. Brother of the late Paul G. Flanagan of West Covina, CA, the late Charles "Larry" Flanagan of Wellesley, the late Joseph G. Flanagan of Holliston, the late Rita Lawn of Waltham and the late Mary Crowell of Springfield. He will be greatly missed by his friends and family. Funeral from the Andrew J. Magni & Son F.H., 365 Watertown St, Rt. 16, NEWTON, Saturday at 10AM. Followed by a Funeral Mass in Our Lady Help of Christians Church, Newton at 11AM. Interment in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham. Visiting Hours Friday 5-8pm. www.magnifuneralhome.com

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Published by Boston Globe from Dec. 4 to Dec. 5, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Flanagan

5 Entries

Brianne Flanagan

December 13, 2008

For my Papa:
Though you were a decorated war hero you were simply our PAPA.

Thank you for always pretending to be mad about eating your "papa cookies". And for the way you pulled at the strands of hair to argue that you were not as bald as I teased.

And, of course, for making me and everyone else feel like we were the favorite and the most loved/blessed in your whole world, it meant everything.

I owe you my faith and good heart, but above all, I owe you my ability to never give up on people or myself, because when things are truly bad that is when God lights the fire under you and makes you run through 70 yards of enemy fire to save a life and get back HOME.

Part Four: Time and Eternity
XIX

TO know just how he suffered would be dear;
To know if any human eyes were near
To whom he could intrust his wavering gaze,
Until it settled firm on Paradise.

To know if he was patient, part content,
Was dying as he thought, or different;
Was it a pleasant day to die,
And did the sunshine face his way?

What was his furthest mind, of home, or God,
Or what the distant say
At news that he ceased human nature
On such a day?

And wishes, had he any?
Just his sigh, accented,
Had been legible to me.
And was he confident until
Ill fluttered out in everlasting well?

And if he spoke, what name was best,
What first,
What one broke off with
At the drowsiest?

Was he afraid, or tranquil?
Might he know
How conscious consciousness could grow,
Till love that was, and love too blest to be,
Meet—and the junction be Eternity?
-Emily Dickinson

Mike Casey

December 11, 2008

Mr. Flanagan,
Sir, I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country when you served with the U.S. Army in Europe during WW II as a member of the 26th Infantry Division which saw extensive combat from October of 1944 through to VE Day. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

The Lawn Family

December 5, 2008

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time.

Jenny & Pat Moynihan

December 4, 2008

Do not stand by my grave and weep.
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain
I am the gentle autumn rain
When you awake in the morning hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circling flight
I am the soft moon at night
do not at my grave and cry
I am not there I did not die

Susan Hardy Brown

December 4, 2008

Crossing the Bar

Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;

For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.

By Alfred, Lord Tennyson
The Poetry Foundation