John Storz Flanagan, Lieutenant Colonel, United States Army Retired and Vice President Emeritus at the University of Scranton, passed away peacefully on 8 November 2017 at home in Montrose, PA, at the age of 86.
He was born on March 31, 1931, in the "Junction" section of Pittston, Pennsylvania, to Thomas Flanagan (a World War I US Army veteran) and Gertrude Agnes Storz Flanagan. LTC John Flanagan was a graduate of St. John's High School in Pittston. He earned his Bachelor's Degree from the College of William and Mary and his Master's Degree from the University of Alabama. He was a graduate of the US Army Command and General Staff College, the Wharton School's College Management Institute, Harvard's Institute for Educational Management, The University of Virginia College Management Institute and MIT's Facilities Management Institute. He also possessed certifications in procurement, logistics and resource management.
On October 16, 1954, he married the love of his life, Mollie Nora Murtha Flanagan and raised four beautiful children: John, Nora, Kathleen, and Mollie while he served on active military service for 21 years in the US Army from 1953 through 1974. He had served in various places in the United States and overseas including tours of duty in Alaska, Iran, Vietnam, Thailand and other places in the Asia-Pacific Theater. His military decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters and various service and campaign medals for service in Vietnam.
Following military service, he was employed as a Vice President at the University of Scranton until his retirement, when he was awarded the title of Vice President Emeritus. He also served as an Adjunct Professor of Management, and was a member of the University's Pro Deo Society. He was a member of the Military Officers Association of America, the American Legion, NEPA Association for the Blind, and served on school boards of the Diocese of Scranton and the Scranton School District.
He was a man of faith, courage, and service. He was a devoted, loving, and dedicated husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who cherished and served his God, wife, children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews, relatives, country, and friends.
He is survived by his four children: Colonel John S. Flanagan II, USMC Retired and wife Pattie Walsh Flanagan; Colonel Nora Flanagan Fisher USA Retired and her husband Major Brian M. Fisher, USA Retired; Kathleen Flanagan Host and husband William Host; and Mollie Flanagan Ruffenach and her husband Gregory Ruffenach (USMC retired).
In addition, he is survived by the following grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Grand-daughter Kelly Flanagan Golden and her husband Brent along with great-granddaughters Addison and Kenzie; grandson Captain John S. Flanagan III US Army and his wife Lindsey and great-grandsons Jack, Adam and Emmet; grandson James W. Flanagan; granddaughter Erin Fisher Presley and her husband Levi Presley, SSG US Army, and great-grandchildren Kaysee, John, Nolan, Justin, Micah and Corinne; grandson Brian Fisher Jr. US Army and wife Tiffany and great-grandchildren Teagan, Reagan, Mary Helen and Jolie; granddaughters Mollie Nora and Joni Lucienne Host; and grandsons Gregory A. and Alexander J. Ruffenach. He is also survived by his four sisters, Mary Hadley, Patricia Flanagan, Gertrude Strom and Joan Quinnan Flory and their children. His older brother, Thomas Flanagan (a World War II US Army veteran) preceded him in death.
Family and friends may call/come to the viewing from 5 PM to 7 PM on Friday, 10 November 2017 at the Daniel K. Regan Funeral Home, 232 South Main Street, Montrose, PA 18801 (Phone: 570.278.2750). A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church, 278 South Main Street, Montrose, PA 18801 (570.278.1504) at 0930 on Saturday, 11 November 2017.
In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be made to the Holy Name of Mary Church listed above.
Burial rights will be conducted at the Scranton Cathedral Cemetery, located at 1708 Oram St, Scranton, PA 18504, ((570) 347-9251)) following the Mass of Christian Burial.
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