John William Flanagan

John was born in Lynn, Mass. on August 22, 1934. He was the son of John E. Flanagan and Catherine M. (Battersby) Flanagan. He is survived by his nephew, Stephen H. Murray; grandniece, Patricia Lee Murray; great-grandniece, Ashley Heisler, and close friends Chung P Chiu and Thanh L Tran.

A native of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, he spent his early years in that state, eventually earning master’s degrees from both Massachusetts State College and Boston University. He was a teacher of high school sciences for 42 years, having taught in several foreign countries. His last years of teaching were at Poway High School and Rancho Bernardo High School in Poway, California. His interest in music leads to his producing a number of high school musicals. He was an avid traveler. He travelled around the world. Antarctica is only continent he hadn’t visited.

Burial of ashes will take place in Holy Cross Cemetery, San Diego, and the family plot in the North Cemetery of Lunenburg, Massachusetts.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.goodbodymortuary.com for the Flanagan family.

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Dearest Jack,

Thank you for being the closest friend and for being the most dedicated lover for so many years - over 24 years to be exact. Your true love, genuine care, and sincere thoughtfulness for me, which are quite unique and very special, will be solely missed and can never be replaced by others. We have personally, spontaneously, and intimately shared so many precious moments – memories of which I will remember and cherish for the rest of my life. Though you were 29 years my senior, we somehow inexplicably have gotten along so well together with rare disagreement on occasion. We just clicked from the very beginning.

From taking road trips to traveling overseas, from experiencing cultural events to going to the movie theaters or watching TV, and from dining out to simply staying at home cooking, we have done them all together with enjoyment and commitment. One of your favorite hobbies was to go to the casinos and I, not being a gambler, would tag along for my reading at the local Starbucks. You would brag about your winnings and that would mean a free buffet for me. Such a simple outing, we thoroughly enjoyed. We had so much fun wherever and whenever as long as we were together.

I never thought of a life without you: talking, laughing, teasing, and just being myself around you. I took it all for granted until now. I never thought of our age difference that the natural life process would take its own course. We could have been together and forever beyond the number of years that we had, had your health allowed you to carry on. You had a strong will to live that you wanted to get better and stronger to resume the daily activities that you would normally have. I know you were contented and happy with the life you had with me as your partner.

I have not come to a full realization that you are no longer on this earth. I am still anxious of waiting for your calls when the clock strikes the hours. It seems as though you have gone away for a while and that you would contact me somehow. But subconsciously, I am well-aware of the reality.

My mind still constantly dwells on your last few days on earth. I was with you throughout the ordeal until your last breath - holding your hands and whispering at your ears to assure you of my presence and availability. In response you also searched for my hands showing that you were content with my being there by your side. You always looked forward to seeing me every day - even though there were people around. With my busy schedule, I know you appreciated of my efforts by being there for you whenever and wherever you needed. You always counted on me in contributing happiness and in bringing life quality to your well-being. In your last phone call to me, you spoke with a feeble voice, "I need you here". I am grateful for that thoughtfulness of yours. Near the end of your life, I handed to you a rosary with a holy cross. You then took it with thankfulness and asked me to wear it on your neck. At this point, I realized that you have acknowledged and accepted your fate and faith without hesitation. I felt relieved. I hugged you for the last time as your lifeless body was being moved away. Besides myself, my mom and sister Catherine often thought of you and expressed themselves how much they had enjoyed spending good times with you on several visits. I hope you knew that you were never alone during your last days on earth.

I keep thinking of what you have been through in the year 2021. With full vaccination, we have been luckily safe throughout the pandemic. Unfortunately, you have suffered from other medical issues during the entire year - starting from the fall at your house to the wound in your right foot leading to your inability to move and resulting in bedridden condition. Then one thing after another - through numerous trips to the hospitals for many months, and finally aspiration and infections were set in, ultimately leading to your imminent death. I admired your courage, resilience, and the will to live. You suffered no more. You died in the apartment, fully decorated with your personal belongings, at La Vida Real, where you had always wanted to live to be near my house. I honestly believe you have lived your life to its fullest extent till the end with dignity.

It will be a long and winding emotional struggle that I will have to deal with over your passing away. I am so lonely without you - especially when I don’t have your hugs, kisses, and shoulders to lean on during this difficult time. There are so many memories everywhere I go. Though these are good memories, they are however very painful to me - emotionally haunting and affecting me a great deal. I miss you so much, and it is so difficult not to include you in my daily life. I miss your handsome face, your cheerful smile, your familiar voice. I want to feel your strong hands, put my head on your masculine chest and your beer belly, hug you tightly as we always did. I miss your humor and down-to-earth manner. I miss your daily calls - starting out with “Goodmorning” and ending with “Goodnight”. I miss receiving your cards on every opportunity there is when you would end your message with the three words: “I love you” and “I miss you”. My life seems vacant and incomplete without your presence. People often say that time is the effective “medicine”, and I want to believe in it.

Fortunately, I have my faith in believing in the existence of higher power from above, and I take comfort in it. You are now with your family – especially with your mom and sister. I believed you have left this earth to Heaven with Jesus by your side. Someday when it is time for me to leave this earth, we will be together again in eternity. As the chaplain said it is a “see you later”, not a “goodbye”.

My dearest friend, I bid your farewell for now and may you rest in peace. I have lots of your pictures from trips we took, souvenirs and mementos you gave me, seasonal cards with meaningful messages chosen and written by you, and your familiar voice messages left in my phone over the years. I find comfort in these treasures whenever I miss you or whenever life seems unworthy or unbearable without your companionship. These treasures will keep us together and close to my heart. Thank you so much for being my partner in life for so many years – the partnership that is scarce and difficult if not impossible to replace in any way. You wrote to me, “memories are a wonderful thing. Keep all the good ones and let the sad ones slip away.” You also wrote to me, “my one and only true love. You mean so much to me - always!” You often said to me, "we are close". I will remember these wonderful messages and embrace them forever. I am deeply grateful for your contribution to our relationship. I loved our life together and loved being in love with you.

So far I have received emotional support from my family, especially from my mom and sister Catherine who had helped me some through this difficult time. I somehow must find the inner strength within me alone and by myself in dealing with my loss - the love of my life. Thanks to Catherine and her friend who gave me the following Serenity prayer that I have been practicing: “God grants me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdoms to know the difference”. This prayer gives me comfort in dealing with this great loss in my life.

Lots of love for you forever.

Thanh Tran

March 15, 2022