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Brian Flanagan Obituary
Brian was born in Dover, N.H. on July 4, 1950, to Emmet and Mary (Herlihy) Flanagan and attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School where he participated in basketball, track, and cross country. Brian's favorite subject was history. He went on to St. Francis College and received his B.A. in secondary education in 1972. He received his master's degree in educational administration from the University of Southern Maine in 1986.
Brian began his teaching career at Sanford High School in 1972. He taught Social Studies at Sanford for 14 years where he coached the track, basketball, and cross country teams. In 1986, he became the assistant principal at Sanford High School, where he was known for treating his students with dignity and respect. He left Sanford High School in 1992 and began working as an assistant principal at Bonny Eagle High School in Standish. He was then hired as the principal of Somersworth High School in Somersworth, N.H. in 1998 and remained there for 10 years, retiring in 2008. He was named "Principal of the Year" by the National Association of Student Councils in both 2002 and 2004. Brian also owned and operated Flanagan's Driving School in Sanford from 1980-1998.
Brian married his lifelong love, Marlene, on June 24, 1978. They were blessed with three sons, Michael, Brady, and Andrew. Michael is married to Elizabeth and they are the parents of Knox Brian Flanagan and Kennedy Anne Flanagan. Brady is married to Andrea and they are the parents of Emmet James Flanagan. Besides his wife, sons, and grandchildren, Brian is survived by his sisters, Mary Frances Taylor, Rosann Boston, and his brother, Adrien "Joe" Flanagan. Brian is also survived by Robert and Beatrice Roux, his beloved father and mother-in-law, and by the extensive Roux family, where he was always known as the honorary Irishman.
To read Brian's full obituary or to leave a message of condolence please visit www.blackfuneralhomes.com.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, July 18, at 10 a.m., at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish, Notre Dame Church, 10 Payne Street, Springvale. Burial will be private.
Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale.
In lieu of flowers
the Flanagan family is requesting that memorial donations be made to St. Thomas School's
Scholarship Fund
69 North Avenue
Sanford, Maine
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Brian Flanagan
John Kelly
July 30, 2019
Im sorry to hear of Brian's passing. I worked with him at Somersworth High School when I was the SRO. Brian was a great man and will be greatly missed. Rest in peace my friend.
Linda Pritchett
July 20, 2019
Marlene and family,
He was a great person. I loved waiting on you and him at the Potting Shed, both of you always smiling! You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Jake Rodden
July 19, 2019
Flanagan family. Sorry for your loss. I was a student back in 2000. Mr. Flanagan and my father went to STA back in the day and use to love hearing all the stories. With no question he was in my top 3 story tellers to give a good story. Had a knack for that. He will be missed but never forgotten.
July 18, 2019
Marlene and Family, Paula and I send our condolences on Brian's passing. We attended the service today. Mike and Brady did a wonderful job, Brian would have been very proud. He was a great person, touched the lives of many and I cherish our time in Somersworth together. Paul F. Maskwa
Deb Crowley
July 18, 2019
Sending love to all of you.
Roxanne & Ed Gillen
July 17, 2019
We loved Brian! We have good memories of him in the short time we spent with him. He loved his wife, boys, sports & sweets! He was a goofball and more importantly and wonderful, kind man! You will be missed. ❤
Matt Lane
July 16, 2019
Brian was one of a kind. I worked with him at Dover News when we were young. He made a boring job a fun job. He was special. R.I.P. my friend.
Alisha Wood
July 16, 2019
My sincere condolences to your family. Mr. Flanagan was an amazing principal who truly cared about his students. Try to find comfort in your memories during this difficult time. Sending thoughts and prayers your way.
Missý Bernier
July 16, 2019
Marlene,Michael,Brady and Andrew we are so sorry for your loss,Uncle Brian was a great guy,keep his memories close at heart during these difficult times.Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you
Beth Turgeon-Letourneau
July 16, 2019
Mr Flanagan was an amazing man, incredible educator and community member! I have been in awe of the dedication of his wife and sons during his battle with Alzheimer's!
July 16, 2019
I remember when he let me skip school to go visit my mom in the hospital and he paid my drivers ed. He was a great principal he was more like a friend or a counselor he really cared about the students.he respected you as long as you respected him.
Sandra Thibeault
July 15, 2019
Mr.Flanagan was one of my all time favorite teachers. He was kind, engaging, fair and knowledgeable. Even after all these years I can still picture him walking briskly through the hallways at Sanford High. Nothing but fond memories of Mr.Flanagan. My condolences to his family, friends and former students.
paul norrish
July 15, 2019
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Anne Cyr
July 15, 2019
My sincerest sympathy to the Flanagan family. Brian patiently and kindly was instrumental in my receiving a driver's license despite my fears. Sincerely, Anne M Cyr.
Gregory Ball
July 15, 2019
It comes with great sadness on hearing about the passing of Mr.Flanagan he was a gentleman's gentleman you could not find a person more dedicated as he was when he was the principal at Somersworth High School.
To the family it was a honor and pleasure to Know a fine man like Brian.
May God watch over all of you and pray for you in your time of need.
God Bless
Gregory Ball
Rachel AC Burbank
July 14, 2019
Marlene and family, So sorry to hear of Brian's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Sincerely, Rachel Collette' Burbank
Andrea Cesario
July 14, 2019
Marlene and family: Our sincere condolences on your loss. Andrea Cesario and family
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Black-Heald Walker Funeral Home - Sanford/Springvale580 Main Street P.O. Box 175, Springvale, ME 04083
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