Joseph Thomas Flanagan

1938 - 2022

Joseph Thomas Flanagan, 84, of East Hartford, passed away Tuesday, September 6, 2022, surrounded by the love of his family. He was the beloved husband of Joan (Kudlac) Flanagan. Joe was born and grew up in Brooklyn, NY to the late Patrick and Rose (Gribbon) Flanagan on May 24, 1938. He was a middle child and the family bond would become a theme in his life as "family" meant everything to him. Joe graduated from both St. Francis Xavier Military High School and St. Peter's college with high honors. He was an incredibly intelligent man and would use his Nuclear Physics degree throughout his professional career to work for the Space Program that would become NASA, the American Medical Association and several environmental protection companies working with OSHA to better the environment. He married his true love and soulmate, Joan, in October of 1961. The two defined "storied tale," marrying at a young age celebrating over 61 years of life and marriage together. They spent their early years in Texas while Joe was in the United States Air Force and would later settle in Connecticut. Joe and Joan would go on to have a family of their own. He truly enjoyed his children and more than adored his grandchildren spending time coaching Midget Football and Little League baseball, shuttling back-and-forth between cheerleading, badminton, gymnastics, and hockey. We spent time camping at both Wolf's Den and Indian field Campgrounds and there were also vacation trips and summers at the beach in Ocean City, MD. He was a diehard New York Giants fan, a competitive poker, billiards, and ping-pong player. He was sarcastic, funny and was never afraid to speak his mind where his nickname, "The Legend," was born at family parties, birthdays, holidays, and seasonal sporting events. He is survived by his children Bryan Flanagan and wife Michelle, children (Matthew, Melissa, Melanie and Miranda) of East Hartford, Cheryl Plofkin and husband John, children (Meghan Coleman and husband Tim and Tyler Plofkin) of Trumbull, Joe Flanagan and wife Pamela, children (Hailey and Emily) of Glastonbury, Mary Popick and husband Tim, children (Tanner and Savannah) of South Windsor. His extended family included the Nadeau's, Murphy's, Plofkin's, Marino's, Guerrini's and Popick's and so many more. He was a son, brother, husband, veteran, father, uncle, grandfather, friend and certainly a Legend to all. He is pre-deceased by his son Glen Flanagan, brother Patrick Flanagan and two sisters Rosemary Unick and Kathleen Flanagan. Calling hours with Military Honors and a "Celebration of A Life" will be held on Sunday, September 18, 2022, from 1:30pm to 3pm at Carmon Funeral Home, 807 Bloomfield Ave., Windsor, CT 06095. In lieu of flowers, the family would kindly ask that you make a donation in Joseph's name to the Spinal Cord Injury at Gaylord Hospital, 50 Gaylord Farms Rd., Wallingford, CT 06492 or www.gaylord.org. The Cremation Society of CT in Windsor has care of the arrangements. For online condolences please visit www.CremationCT.com