WATERTOWN, NY — Edward A. Flanagan, 100, passed peacefully away, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019, at Samaritan Keep Home, Watertown.
Born Jan. 8, 1919, in Cairo, West Virginia, son of the late Herbert and Mabel Windom Flanagan, he attended school in West Virginia. Following school he worked at the oil fields, drilling wells and during the depression he worked in the CCC’s in West Virginia for two years.
Edward Flanagan was a brave and loyal soldier as well as a patient and loving father. He joined the U.S. Army on Feb. 13, 1942, and served with the 5th Armored Division in Unit Company B 10th tank Battalion in Ardennes, Central Europe, Normandy, Northern France and Rhineland during WWII. He was honorably discharged on Oct. 13, 1945, and received two Purple Hearts with an Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European African Middle Eastern Service Medal with one Silver Star, Army Occupation Medal, and Honorable Service Lapel Button World War II. He was an honorable member of the 1-32nd Infantry.
He was united in marriage to Julia Boni of Copenhagen on November 26, 1943 at St. John’s Episcopal Church. The couple resided in Watertown where he built their home in the 1950s.
Mr. Flanagan worked for Railway Express in Watertown for a short time, local unions in Watertown during which time he assisted with the construction of Watertown High School, and Black Clawson where he would work as a millwright and machinist for 35 years, retiring in 1981.
He was a Life Member of the Watertown American Legion Post 61, retired member of the International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers, member of the 5th Armored Div. Association, and St John’s Episcopal Church in Black River.
Among his survivors are a son and daughter-in-law, Gary (Cathleen) Flanagan, Port Orange, FL; five daughters and their husbands, Deborah (John) Dick, Bluffton, SC, Jacalyn (Michael) Tunstall, Calcium, Lou Ann (Paul) Cesario, Carthage, Kelly Flanagan-Hall, Watertown, and Sandra Dee (Donald) Jennings, Davenport, FL; a brother, Cecil (Annabelle) Flanagan, Parkersburg, WV; 18 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, a great-great grandchild; and many nieces, nephews, and step grandchildren.
In addition to his wife and parents he is predeceased by a son-in-law, Mark Hall, seven brothers and three sisters.
Calling hours will be held 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, at the Hart & Bruce Funeral Home, 117 N. Massey St., Watertown.
The funeral service will be Noon, Monday, Nov. 18, 2019, at the funeral home. Burial with military honors will follow in Brookside Cemetery.
Donations may be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church 143 West Remington St., Black River 13612 or to the Honor Flight P.O. Box 591 Syracuse, NY 13209.
Online condolences may be made at www.Brucefh.com
