John Robert Flanagan Jr.

He was born on May 10,1953 in Fall River, MA, the son of John R. and Catherine Flanagan. John was educated at St. Joseph’s School and Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River, graduating in 1971. He studied engineering at Southeastern Massachusetts University. John was involved in boating from an early age, earning trophies racing in the Candy Class in Tiverton, RI and crewing in the Ensign class in regattas on Narragansett Bay as well as in the 1970 Ensign class national championship regatta.

John left college to work as an offshore lobster fisherman and enjoyed great success in this profession, becoming, at 21-years-old, the youngest captain on Georges Bank when he operated the Catherine Anne, the smallest boat on the Banks. He continued working in the fishing industry for several decades operating, among other boats, the fishing vessels Two Sisters and Amy and Jill out of Wickford, RI. John was a natural leader whose courage and resourcefulness never failed to earn the loyalty and respect of his crew. He was a local legend for his fishing success and for his ability to fix anything. He was also known for his love of playing practical jokes and his fondness for junk food. In the early 2000s, John left fishing and drove commercial trucks in New England, Oklahoma and Virginia.

For the last twenty two years, John’s wife was Patricia Garrambone. Known affectionately to each other as “Bob and Marge” they thoroughly enjoyed their life together living in New England, Oklahoma and Virginia before retiring in Hobe Sound, FL. Their lives were filled with much love, laughter, family and many dear friends including their furry four legged ones. “Heidi,” their schnauzer, will sorely miss meal time sitting patiently under John knowing that good food was coming her way.

John is survived by two daughters, Amy Denedios and Jill Flanagan, both of Stuart, FL, their mother, Jean, his former wife, and five grandchildren, Sophia and Olivia Denedios and William, Liliana, and Isabella Bee. John and Patricia moved to FL in 2014 to be closer to his daughters and grandchildren. Many happy hours of his life were spent entertaining them with antics that earned him the loving nickname “Green Bean.”

John is also survived by four siblings, Catherine Flanagan, Dr. Margaret Everett, and Elizabeth Sullivan of Massachusetts and Charles Flanagan of Maryland along with many nieces and nephews.

John was a long time supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Shriners Hospitals for Children.