Lt. Col. John Flanagan

John Storz Flanagan, lieutenant colonel, U.S. Army, retired, and vice president emeritus at the University of Scranton, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017, at home in Montrose at the age of 86.

He was born March 31, 1931, in the "Junction" section of Pittston, to Thomas Flanagan, a World War I U.S. Army veteran, and Gertrude Agnes Storz Flanagan.

Lt. Col. John Flanagan was a graduate of St. John's High School in Pittston. He earned his bachelor's degree from the College of William & Mary and his master's degree from the University of Alabama. He was a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, the Wharton School's College Management Institute, Harvard's Institute for Educational Management, The University of Virginia College Management Institute and MIT's Facilities Management Institute. He also possessed certifications in procurement, logistics and resource management.

On Oct. 16, 1954, he married the love of his life, Mollie Nora Murtha Flanagan and raised four beautiful children, John, Nora, Kathleen and Mollie, while he served on active military service for 21 years in the U.S. Army from 1953 through 1974. He had served in various places in the United States and overseas, including tours of duty in Alaska, Iran, Vietnam, Thailand and other places in the Asia-Pacific Theater. His military decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters and various service and campaign medals for service in Vietnam.

Following military service, he was employed as a vice president by the University of Scranton until his retirement, when he was awarded the title of vice president emeritus. He also served as an adjunct professor of management, and was a member of the University's Pro Deo Society. He was a member of the Military Officers Association of America, the American Legion, NEPA Association for the Blind, and served on school boards of the Diocese of Scranton and the Scranton School District.

He was a man of faith, courage and service. He was a devoted, loving and dedicated husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who cherished and served his God, wife, children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews, relatives, country and friends.

His older brother, Thomas Flanagan, a World War II U.S. Army veteran, preceded him in death.

He is survived by his four children, Col. John S. Flanagan II, U.S. Marine Corps, retired, and wife, Pattie Walsh Flanagan; Col. Nora Flanagan Fisher, U.S. Army, retired, and her husband, Maj. Brian M. Fisher, U.S. Army, retired; Kathleen Flanagan Host and husband, William Host; and Mollie Flanagan Ruffenach and her husband, Gregory Ruffenach, U.S. Marine Corps, retired.

In addition, he is survived by the following grandchildren and great-grandchildren: granddaughter, Kelly Flanagan Golden and her husband, Brent, along with great-granddaughters, Addison and Kenzie; grandson, Capt. John S. Flanagan III, U.S. Army, and his wife, Lindsey, and great-grandsons, Jack, Adam and Emmet; grandson, James W. Flanagan; granddaughter, Erin Fisher Presley and her husband, Levi Presley, staff sergeant, U.S. Army, and great-grandchildren, Kaysee, John, Nolan, Justin, Micah and Corinne; grandson, Brian Fisher Jr., U.S. Army, and wife Tiffany, and great-grandchildren, Teagan, Reagan, Mary Helen and Jolie; granddaughters, Mollie Nora and Joni Lucienne Host; and grandsons, Gregory A. and Alexander J. Ruffenach. He is also survived by his four sisters, Mary Hadley, Patricia Flanagan, Gertrude Strom and Joan Quinnan Flory and their children.

Family and friends may call/come to the viewing from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Daniel K. Regan Funeral Home, 64 S. Main St., Montrose, 570-278-2750.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday in Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church, 278 S. Main St., Montrose, 570-278-1504

In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be made to the Holy Name of Mary Church listed above.

Burial rights will be conducted in Scranton Cathedral Cemetery, 1708 Oram St., Scranton, 570-347-9251, following the Mass of Christian Burial.