James Flanagan

James Edward Flanagan

March 24, 1934 to July 19, 2025

James Edward Flanagan, 91, of Media, PA and formerly of New York City, died on July 19, 2025 at Wesley Enhanced Living in Delaware County. He is survived by his nieces Joan Flanagan McCarthy (Ned) and Patricia Flanagan Cieri (Tony), nephew Richard Andrew Flanagan (Laura), and seven great nieces and nephews: Will (Alaina) and Molly McCarthy; Isabella, Grace, and Christine Cieri; and Gavin and Taegan Flanagan. He was predeceased by his brother Richard Thomas Flanagan, sister-in-law Marguerite Patricia Flanagan, and nephew Thomas Robert Flanagan (Jean).

Jim was born on March 24, 1934 in Baltimore, Maryland. He was a graduate of Garden City High School on Long Island and earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame where he studied the Great Books. After graduation, he joined the United States Marine Corps where he served in Okinawa, Japan and Camp Pendleton, California and rose to the rank of Captain.

Jim had a long career in the television industry, starting as a page at NBC in New York City, researching questions for a game show, and then working as a film editor with NBC News in Washington, DC. He returned to New York in 1966 for an opportunity with ABC News where he worked in the documentary film division, and later for 20/20. His skill as a film editor was recognized with two national News and Documentary Emmy Awards for Outstanding Individual Achievement: one in 1982 for “FDR,” a groundbreaking and critically acclaimed three-hour ABC News Special Presentation marking the 100th anniversary of FDR’s birth, and a second in 1983 for “JFK.”

After retiring in 1993, Jim spent his days painting at the Arts Student League, watching his favorite Notre Dame and New York sports teams, and enjoying a meal and a Manhattan or a good glass of Chianti at his favorite New York haunts.

A private funeral will take place on Friday, October 24 at SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Springfield, PA.

Arrangments provided by Rigby Harting & Hagan Funeral Home  15 E 4th St.  Media, PA 19063