Deacon John Patrick Flanagan, a deacon of the Diocese for more than 40 years, died March 30 in Orangevale, Calif. He was 94.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated April 13 in St. Cathar
Deacon Flanaganine Church, Holmdel. Burial was in St. Gabriel Cemetery, Marlboro.
Deacon Flanagan was born to Irish immigrant parents in 1929 in Altoona, Pa. He served with the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War. Professionally he was president of Management Seminars, New York; director of stewardship for the Diocese of Trenton; founder and president of Catholic Church Campaigns; program director, Insurance Division, American Management Association, New York, and director of Property and Casualty Licensing Sales and Product Training for Prudential’s subsidiary Pruco Insurance where he retired as vice president of administration.
He was ordained a permanent deacon in 1981 in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, and ministered in St. Catharine Parish, Holmdel, for more than 40 years. He received the Papal Benemerenti Medal during the diocesan Eucharistic Congress in October, 2012. He also authored several books relating to his ministry as a deacon and a Catholic man of deep faith. His books included: “Managing Your Time, Energy and Talent in Ministry,” published in 2009; “The Joy of Being a Deacon,” published in 2016, and “The Joy in Totally Trusting God, published in 2019.
In addition to his parents, James and Anna (Madigan) Flanagan, Deacon Flanagan was predeceased by his wife, Eileen, and three siblings. He is survived by his five and their spouses; 20 grandchildren; two great grandchildren; several sisters- and brothers-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations may be made to Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton, at catholiccharitiestrenton.org.