Daniel F. Flanagan, 85, of New Bedford, died May 17, 2005 at St. Luke's Hospital after a lingering illness. He was the husband of the late Mary E. (Francis) Flanagan; they had been married for 52 years.
Born in New Bedford, he was the son of the late John J. and Annie V. (O'Donnell) Flanagan. Mr. Flanagan was a graduate of Holy Name Grammar School and an honors graduate of Holy Family High School, class of 1936. He was a magna cum laude graduate of Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey, class of 1940, where he served as a dorm mentor and student manager for the great Seton Hall basketball teams of that era. He later received his Master's degree in Education from Bridgewater State College.
Mr. Flanagan served in the U.S. Army during World War II with the 1st Calvary Division, which was a highly recommended unit, and was a recipient of the American Theater Campaign medal, the Victory Ribbon with one service stripe, and the Good Conduct medal. He spent the last four years of his service as an instructor at Texas A.& M. University, a chief military college in the South.
Upon his discharge from military service, he returned to work in the Dartmouth Public School system. He became principal of the Marie S. Howard School in Acushnet and later taught Latin at Normandin Junior High School in New Bedford.
In the early 1960's, Mr. Flanagan was appointed by Judge Ernest Horrocks to the position of Assistant Chief Probation Officer for Third District Court in New Bedford. He held this post, along with other court supervisory tasks, until his retirement in the late 1970's.
In addition to his professional career, Mr. Flanagan was well-known throughout New England as "Dan the Candy Man", a concession that he and his brother operated for 36 years. The business was an adjunct to their father's wholesale candy company and it appeared at all major fairs in New England, the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament, and other church festivities.
Survivors include two sons, Michael F. Flanagan, and his wife Carol, of Dartmouth and Patrick J. Flanagan of New Bedford; a sister, Mary Silvia, and her husband Clarence, of Brewster; a brother, James A. Flanagan, and his wife Elizabeth, of New Bedford; two grandchildren, Paul Flanagan, and his wife Bernice, and Sherri Tetrault, and her husband Rob, all of Dartmouth; several great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
He was the brother of the late John J. Flanagan, Jr.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, Friday May 20, 2005 at 10 AM. Funeral Mass at Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church at 11 AM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours will be on Thursday May 19, 2005 from 4-8 PM. Burial will be in the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to People Supporting Independent Living & Leisure, 693 Purchase St., New Bedford, MA 02740 or to Holy Family-Holy Name School, 91 Summer St., New Bedford, MA 02740.