Thomas J. Flanagan

Thomas J. Flanagan, 89, of South Glastonbury, and formerly of Singer Island, FL joined his beloved wife, Estelle, in heaven, Wednesday, (February 29, 2012). He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family. Tom is survived by and will be sadly missed by his four children, Kenneth and his wife Joan, Chip and his wife Leslee, Carol-Lynne Casey and her husband Joseph, Kevin and his wife Kimberly all of Glastonbury; and his 10 grandchildren, Tom and his wife Laurie, Terry and his wife Lauren, Carrie-Ellen and her husband Don Briere, Julianna, Sean, Meaghan, Aishleen, Kevin, Erin and Maire Casey. He also leaves his dear sister, Helyn Flanagan Mulcahy, and his sister-in-laws, Josephine Flanagan and Ann Bibens; and many nieces and nephews. Tom grew up in Hartford and attended St. Thomas Seminary, and graduated from Weaver High School. He was a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, NY and proudly served his country during World War II. Tom was a member of the Greatest Generation and upon returning from the war, he and his brother Jim started Flanagan Brother's in the basement of their parents home with $50 and a borrowed drill press. Their first products were hand crafted copper bowls and ash trays that they sold on the streets of Hartford and to various stores such as G-Fox. Through determination and hard work, they watched their company (now Flanagan Industries) grow to become a global producer of complex aerospace components with over 100 employees. Tom was a self made man, and he was generous in every way. Tom was a former member of the Glastonbury Rotary Club, the Glastonbury Community Club, a founding member and past Exalted Ruler of the Glastonbury Elks Club, a member of the Irish American Home Society. He and Estelle loved to travel and visited many places throughout the world. He enjoyed spending summers at his home at Crescent Beach and winters in Singer Island, FL. He loved to play BINGO, he loved word search puzzles, Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. He loved his family very much and he was always quick to tell a funny story, or a joke, or recite a poem that he had written. Tom put a smile on everyone's face, and this brought him great joy. Tom truly saw the goodness in all people. He was a faithful servant of God. After Estelle died in 2007, Tom lived the last years of his life with his devoted daughter and son-in-law and their 2 children. He had a very full life and was able to enjoy his last years through their love and devotion to him, along with the love and support of many caregivers who were truly his angels on Earth, Justyna, Monika, Ania, Gloria, Gail, Diana, Edytia, Leslie, Lisa, Karen, Dorothy, Maria, and the staff of Senior Care. Tom was able to enjoy a quality of life in his final years because of their presence and without them this wouldn't have been possible. The family extends their heartfelt thanks for loving and taking such good care of our Dad. The family would also like to thank the wonderful and caring staff of VNA HealthCare Hospice.

Calling hours will be Sunday, March 4 from 4-8 p.m. at the Glastonbury Funeral Home, 450 New London Turnpike, Glastonbury. A 10 a.m. mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, March 5 at St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church, 285 Church Street, Hartford (please meet at the church), followed by a Christian Burial at Green Cemetery, Glastonbury. In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom's memory may be made to the Glastonbury Rotary Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 67, Glastonbury CT 06033. For more information or to leave online condolences, please visit www.glastonburyfuneral.com .