PAWTUCKET – William H. Flannagan Jr., 70, of Pawtucket, passed away on Friday, Jan. 5, 2018, after a long battle with leukemia. He was the beloved husband of Susan L. (Brown) Flannagan for 46 years. Born in Providence, he was the son of the late William and Helen (Murphy) Flannagan.

William worked as a printer and pressman for The Pawtucket Times and Fall River Herald for 43 years until his retirement. He was a longtime member of the Graphic Communications Conference (GCC) of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, as well as an avid photographer and birdwatcher. In his youth he was a top distance runner, second in the state of Rhode Island while at Saint Raphael Academy, despite having lost use of his legs for a period of time as a child.

William was happiest spending time with his beloved wife and children, especially at their treasured cottage on Cape Cod. He will be remembered for his deeply kind and generous nature, positive attitude, quick wit and signature handlebar mustache.

Besides his loving and devoted wife, William leaves two beloved sons, Sean P. Flannagan and his partner Larkin J. Conroy of San Francisco, and Taylor W. Flannagan and his partner Jessica Caviness of Los Angeles. He was the brother of Elizabeth (Flannagan) Salvas of Livermore, Calif.

VISITATION will begin on Thursday, Jan. 11, at 11 a.m., followed by services at 1 p.m., at WILLIAM W. TRIPP Funeral Home, 1008 Newport Ave., Pawtucket. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 26 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10004 will be appreciated. TRIPPFUNERALHOME.com

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Published by Pawtucket Times from Jan. 7 to Jan. 13, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for William Flannagan

Sponsored by William W. Tripp Funeral Home - Pawtucket.

19 Entries

Richard and Eileen Rinaldi

January 6, 2025

Still remember that great smile when he walked into the restaurant Give Taylor our best wishes.

Eileen Rinaldi

January 4, 2023

Taylor and family. We still remember your dad fondly, even though we sold the restaurant a number of years ago. Eileen and Dick Rinaldi

January 11, 2018

Sorry for you loss, Billy was. A great guy and will be missed.

Neal

Steve Walach

January 10, 2018

Like trees in a forest, some memories survive the press of time even when given little care or consideration.

I knew Billy for only one year, as a St. Ray's junior when he was one of a couple senior co-captains for the SRA indoor and outdoor track teams, and even though that was more than 50 years ago, the Billy Flanagan of 1964-65 is still very fresh in my mind.

Bill was a dedicated runner who took each race and workout seriously but was not above squeezing a laugh or two out of a grueling practice or a crucial meet. Our coach and taskmaster was Bob Amato. Bill would always refer to him as "Cus" a reference to Cus D'Amato who at the time was famous for being reigning heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson's trainer, and which always cracked up us runners our coach not so much, but when you're running your guts out six days a week, Bill's impishness soothed some of the sting.

As a runner, Bill was a sight to see. Read a description of old time Olympian Emil Zatopek and you'd recognize a lot of Bill. Not a runner who scored style points, Zatopek's arms and legs were said to fly off in oddly different directions, but Zatopek loved to run and run he did.

Same was true of Bill. He loved to run and put the bug into the rest of us. Bill's gait was not picture perfect as you might expect of someone who had loss the use of his legs for a period of time, and his right arm sorta flailed out at an oblique angle to his body. But Bill was not about winning style points; he was all about training and racing as hard as he could and winning, which he did often.

Most memorable are his infectious enthusiasm and joy, and because of Bill I don't think we ever held back even while training outdoors on ridiculously cold days or doing workouts that sensible kids would have quickly abandoned and snuck off somewhere to do their homework.

Even though running must have demanded more effort of Bill than it did others, it was not until I read the obituary and learned about his childhood handicap that the thought ever entered my consciousness. Bill never intimated a need and certainly never asked for our pity or indulgence; in fact, it was just the opposite. Bill and his brother-in-arms, Paul Tierney, were there to lead the charge and the rest of us knew instinctively we were supposed to follow.

The high school years are just one of many pit stops on our life-journey, but they are pivotal moments because that's when one's true character takes shape, deepens and to an extent matures. And when the seeds of friendship and brotherhood extend tender but often their strongest roots.

I never told Bill how much I appreciated him god, no one ever talked like that back then, but clearly I did and still do because of what he manifested and kindled within me and his teammates: a genuine love of life and the uncomplicated joy of being a Pawtucket teenager on the road to destination unknown.

I cannot begin to know depth of loss being experienced by his wife, children, friends and extended family. My heartfelt condolences to you all.

I pray you will find some comfort in the difficult days ahead by recalling and re-feeling the love, joy and good humor that kept steady pace with Bill, ever matching him stride for stride along life's journey.

Happy trails, Bill.

Steve Walach

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January 10, 2018

I often think back to running against you and the rest of the Saint Raphael gang at Slater Park. You will be remembered and missed.
Larry LaCroix

January 10, 2018

Dear Taylor and family

We have such fond memories of your dad. He was a great customer, even after you left R.I. He kept us informed about you and your new life. His smile and positive attitude always encouraged great conversation. We were fortunate to have the opportunity to know him, even in a small way. We share your sorrow for his loss.

Sincerely,

Richard and Eileen Rinaldi
(Walt's Roast Beef)

linda dawley

January 10, 2018

I worked with bill for more than 20 years and he was the one to ask me if I remembered you at a Christmas party. was a good person.

George & Sue Willis

January 9, 2018

Sue,
We are sending our thoughts & prayers to you, Sean,& Taylor during this difficult time. We were blessed to know Bill fora short time but he will long be remembered.
Love & Peace

fred walters

January 8, 2018

Sue and Bill, you seldom heard the one without the other. They not only complemented each other, they completed each other. It should be every person's birthright to marry their best friend. This certainly happened to these wonderful people. Their love affair was life-long. Bill will be sadly missed. He was gentle and kind and devoted to his family. His personality drew people to him. The end, as it usually does, came much too soon. All who knew him were better for that experience. Rest peacefully, my friend. You did well.

Deb Cahill

January 8, 2018

Dear Sue, Sean and Taylor,

Bill was one of a kind.... always smiling, joshing, a happy soul who spread that happiness around wherever he went. So very sorry for your loss.

Love and prayers,
Cousin Deb
xxx

Jim and Pat Raftus

January 8, 2018

So sorry for the loss of Bill. He was such a good guy. Prayers for your family.

Fred Walters

January 8, 2018

Sue and Bill...you seldom heard one name without the other. They not only complemented each other, they completed each other. To enjoy a life long love affair with your best friend should be everyone's birthright. For these two wonderful people it certainly was. Kind, thoughtful and loving...doesn't get any better than that. Bill will be missed by many. He had such a great personality. Rest peacefully my friend. You did well.

Michelle Duffy

January 8, 2018

Sue, so very sorry for your loss! I always smile remembering that mustache?...sending love and thoughts to you and your family.

Tammy(The Cancer Center @ Memorial Hospital) Roderick

January 8, 2018

Im so sorry Sue to hear my birthday friend has gone on to be with the Lord,my buddy bill i am so thankful and blessed to have known such a gentle man,no words can express my sincere sympathy to you and your family,but to only say it was always a pleasure to be in His company and of course our special bond of sharing the same birthday . Always in my heart love Tammy 10/5/69 .

January 8, 2018

Sue, no words can express how sorry I am for the loss of your wonderful husband, Bill. May you and the boys find comfort in the fact that such a loving person was in your life. We send prayers for comforting in your time of sorrow.

Love,

Charlene LaPlante

January 8, 2018

Dear Sue, Sean and Taylor,
I am still in shock. Sweet Billy... he was a kind, fun, talented man that was always thinking of others. I'm at work now and remember him sitting right here beside me chatting away. He will be missed!
My sympathy and love,
Cousin Mary
xo

Mike - Betsey Whalen

January 7, 2018

Sue - so sorry to hear about Bill. We will miss his smile, positive attitude and of course, that mustache.

Mike and Betsey Whalen

Scott and Jen Brown

January 7, 2018

Bill was rare human. He was a gracious, kind, and funny. We adored him. His humble nature and compassionate heart will be missed greatly.
We are here for you Sue, Sean, and Taylor. Please know that we are sending you prayers for comfort and peace.

January 7, 2018

Sorry for your loss. Pat and Jim Richardson

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