Brian Flanagan

Brian Flanagan passed away peacefully on July 7, 2019 after a 10 year battle with early-onset Alzheimer's Disease. During the last 31 months of his life he was a resident at Avita of Wells where he was lovingly supported by the memory care staff. Brian was born in Dover, NH on July 4, 1950 to Emmet and Mary (Herlihy) Flanagan and attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School where he participated in basketball, track, and cross country running. Brian's favorite subject was history. He went on to St. Francis College and received his B.A. in Secondary Education in 1972. He received his Master's Degree in Educational Administration from the University of Southern Maine in 1986. Brian began his teaching career at Sanford High School in Sanford in 1972. He taught Social Studies at Sanford for 14 years where he coached the track, basketball, and cross country teams. In 1986, he became the Assistant Principal at Sanford High School, where he was known for treating his students with dignity and respect. He left Sanford High School in 1992 and began working as an Assistant Principal at Bonny Eagle High School in Standish. He was then hired as the Principal of Somersworth High School in Somersworth, NH in 1998 and remained there for 10 years, retiring in 2008. He was named "Principal of the Year" by the National Association of Student Councils in both 2002 and 2004, which was quite an honor and achievement. Brian owned and operated Flanagan's Driving School in Sanford from 1980 to 1998. He taught many people how to drive and always had the patience required to deal with terrified (and terrifying) teenagers behind the wheel. Brian married his lifelong love, Marlene, on June 24, 1978. They were blessed with three sons, Michael, Brady and Andrew. Michael is married to Elizabeth and they are the parents of Knox Brian Flanagan and Kennedy Anne Flanagan. Brady is married to Andrea and they are the parents of Emmet James Flanagan. Besides his wife, sons, and grandchildren, Brian is survived by his sisters, Mary Frances Taylor, Rosann Boston, and his brother Adrien "Joe" Flanagan. Brian is also survived by Robert and Beatrice Roux, his father and mother in-law, and by the extensive Roux family, where he was always known as the honorary Irishman. Brian was always a sports fanatic and enjoyed taking the boys to many sporting events, including Celtics, Red Sox, and Patriots games. Brian always felt that next to religion, sports contributed more to the American way of life than anything else. His greatest joy was watching his kids participate in sports and he was their #1 fan. Brian has been faithfully supported by his family throughout his journey with Alzheimer's. Brian's interests, besides sports, were reading, golf, and taking naps on the couch. His vibrant personality and sense of humor always guided him through life's tough times and we know that heaven is rejoicing at his arrival. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, July 18 at 10:00 AM at St. Therse of Lisieux Parish, Notre Dame Church, 10 Payne Street, Springvale. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the Flanagan family is requesting that memorial donations be made to St. Thomas School's Scholarship Fund, 69 North Avenue, Sanford, Maine.Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale. To leave a message of Condolence, please click on the Condolences tab at left.