John Patrick Flanagan

John Patrick Flanagan was born October 17, 1968 at Providence Hospital in Southfield, MI and passed away on January 14, 2024 at St. John’s hospital in Detroit. He was the much-loved ninth child of Charles and Rosemary Flanagan. He is survived by his wife Angila P Mayfield Flanagan, his brothers: Charles Flanagan, Paul Flanagan (Bridget), Chris Flanagan (Kathy) and Dan Flanagan (Jennifer); his sisters: Anne Flanagan, Maureen Blau (Michael), Mary Alice Conser, Margaret Flanagan Hamilton (Scott); many nieces and nephews: Lauren, Caitlin, Sarah, Brian, Michael, Elizabeth, Julie, Chris, Meghan, John, Patrick, Will, Michael H., Katie and Matthew. He is predeceased by his parents: Charles and Rosemary Flanagan, his brother Billy, his nephew Kevin, and his niece Emily. Other survivors from his wife’s family include Father- in- laws: Robert Mayfield; Bishop Robert D. Taylor Sr; Mother-in-law: Missionary Effie Taylor, Sister-in-laws: Cynthia (Travis) Ricks, Crystal (Tyrone) Settles, Helena Mayfield, Charlotte (Uzoma) Innocent Onyiso and Latisha Mayfield. Brother-in-laws: Robert (Christy) Taylor, Derlwyn (Joy) Taylor, and Eric (Shemika) Taylor.

John attended St. Matthew Elementary in Detroit, DeLaSalle Collegiate in Warren and Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, where he majored in political science and was an active member of the SAE fraternity where he held leadership roles.

John loved talking politics and ideas, and he was a voracious reader. He completed an internship on Capitol Hill in Washington DC while in college, as well as an extended trip to Russia with his college professor. John lived in Chicago for several years, and later worked in Iowa as part of Americorp using his skills to assist at a Veterans Center. For the past decade, John worked as a Court Clerk for the Wayne County Circuit Court in Detroit.

John enjoyed working for the County Clerk’s Office where he knew many attorneys by their first names, and they requested his help specifically. He had a large group of wonderful work colleagues. He loved attending the sporting and musical events of nieces and nephews, “Brothers’ Weekend” Up North, attending family events like parties, barbeques, and graduations. He spent time with his godparents Rip and Kate Harrington in Oxford and later Barraga discussing our Dad’s navy service with his Godfather and collecting treasured pictures of our Dad’s military service. He enjoyed helping Angie with her bake sales; listening to music, especially the Irish group U2, and keeping in touch with the St. Matthew community, through their Facebook page and attending their recent final Open House. He kept up on current events and enjoyed helping others. He was always there when needed or called upon to help a sibling, friend or coworker.

John was a deeply spiritual and thoughtful person, always reading and discussing ideas related to faith. He attended many Manresa Spiritual Retreats and churches of various denominations in his quest for knowledge . John will be greatly missed, but we have solace in the knowledge that he is with our parents in Heaven. May the wind be at your back John, and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Visitation on Saturday, January 20th from 2:00pm-5pm followed by a Prayer Service at 5pm at A.H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Avenue at Vernier Road, Grosse Pointe Woods. Donations can be made to the American Heart Association in John’s memory.