Obituary of Donald M. Flanagan

Donald M. Flanagan, 92, passed away peacefully at home on October 23, 2024, surrounded by his children. He was born in Oneida, New York on August 7, 1932, and graduated from Oneida High School in 1950, where he is part of the school's "Hall of Fame" for his role as the backup quarterback on the undefeated 1949 football team. He later attended St. Bonaventure University (Class of 1954) and Cornell Law School (Class of 1957). Breaking with the Flanagan family tradition of owning a tavern in Oneida, he relocated to Binghamton after law school and began his legal career with the Chernin & Gold firm, with an early detour to Europe courtesy of the Syracuse Air National Guard – the "Boys from Syracuse" - during the 1960-1961 "Berlin Recall." He made the most of this time abroad - a postcard sent from Monaco to his future wife reported that he was "hurrying to get as much in as possible until JFK puts a halt to this." Don absolutely loved the practice of law and local politics, and believed in contributing to the community in which he and his family lived. He enjoyed trying cases, mentoring young lawyers, and helping friends who were in need of sound advice from an attorney. He was a board member of the Broome County Cooperative Extension for almost 20 years. He served as a City Court Judge in the mid-1960s and represented the Fourth District in the Broome County Legislature for two terms from 1974-1978. In an old-fashioned grass roots campaign, he won his first election by 63 votes, likely aided by a reapportionment that moved some First Ward residents into his district. In his 1976 re-election campaign, which he announced would be his last, he sought $5 donations from supporters. He remained a trusted advisor to candidates for years. He also lost a few elections, but was always willing to put his name forward, even when victory was unlikely, because he believed that voters should always have a choice. Importantly, he submitted his absentee ballot for this year's elections a few days before his passing. Don was a proud St. Bonaventure University alum, serving on the Board of Trustees from 1974-1996, later being honored as "alum of the year," and he followed as many athletic events as he could watch. More than twenty years ago, he established the Elizabeth C. Flanagan Memorial Scholarship at St. Bonaventure in honor of his mother to benefit students from Oneida, NY. He was man of deep faith, and a parishioner at St. Thomas Aquinas for more than sixty years, where he served as a lector and Eucharistic minister. He was also devoted to St. Francis and a generous supporter of the Franciscans in whatever good works they were doing. Don was a truly good man, and a wonderful husband and father, but undeniably a man of a certain era. His favorite place in the world was the family camp on the eastern shore of Oneida Lake, near where he grew up. It thrilled him that his children and grandchildren shared that same love. He read voraciously, including print editions of newspapers, and frequently would clip and send articles to friends and family. He spent hours researching the Irish ancestry of the Flanagan and Ennis families, watching Los Angeles Dodgers baseball games, and reading the daily mail to determine which of the numerous charities that send solicitations to the elderly should be sent $25. In addition to his wife of nearly 60 years, Carolyn Reddon Flanagan, he was predeceased by his father, Donald Francis Flanagan, his mother Elizabeth C. (Ennis) Flanagan, his sister Ann Flanagan, and his brother and sister-in-law Thomas G. Flanagan and Kathleen B. Flanagan. He is survived by son Michael (Jocelyn Dyer) of Washington, DC; son Thomas of Syracuse, NY; son John of New York City; daughter Ellen of New York City; grandchildren Elizabeth (Antonino Martín-Martínez), Emily, Jasper and Hadley; and beloved nieces, nephews, and grand-nephews. Thanks to Katie McCarthy whose devotion to Don (and Carolyn) over the last five years made it possible for them to spend their final years in their beloved home on Crestmont Road. Thanks also to Lourdes Hospice, Cheryl Zimmer, Sr. Teresia Mutiso, LSOSF, and other caregivers whose assistance provided great comfort to Don and his family. A funeral Mass will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Highland Avenue, Binghamton, NY at 12 noon on Friday, November 22, 2024. The family will receive friends at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Friday November 22, 2024 from 11 a.m. until 12 noon. Burial will be in St. Mary's of the Irish Ridge in Durhamville, NY at a later date. The Mass will be livestreamed at www.sta-sp.org Don would have loved those so inclined to write a letter to a loved one in his memory and to vote in the upcoming election, regardless of whom you are supporting. In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a donation to the Elizabeth C. Flanagan Memorial Scholarship at https://netcommunity.sbu.edu/page.aspx?pid=945 or to the charity of your choice.