Robert Michael Flanagan died peacefully and surrounded by family on Dec. 8, after a yearlong illness. He was 79.
He was born Feb. 5, 1944 in Memphis, Tenn. Bob grew up in South Orange, N.J. with his brothers Jack and Dave and his sister Mary. His mother, Helen Froehlich Flanagan, was a retired school teacher from Glen Ridge, N.J.
He graduated from Columbia High School and then followed in the footsteps of his father, John J. Flanagan, by attending Georgetown University. He graduated with a bachelor of science in business administration in finance in 1967. While at Georgetown, he became a member of the a cappella group the Georgetown Chimes where he joined, what turned out to be, lifelong friends and brothers.
Bob was a lifelong lover of Georgetown, serving on the board of regents and receiving the prestigious John Carroll Award in 2014.
Most importantly, at Georgetown he met the love of his life, the beautiful lass from Marblehead, Mass., Maurie McIntire.
After graduating, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army and served two years of active duty including 14 months in Korea.
Following the Army, Bob and Maurie were married on July 19, 1969 at Our Lady Star of the Sea in Marblehead and then moved to New Jersey. He started a long career on Wall Street, becoming a partner at Spear, Leeds & Kellogg and later managing partner at Lawrence, O’Donnell, Marcus & Co., a specialist firm. He was a talented floor trader at the New York Stock Exchange, where he held a seat until his retirement in 1999.
Bob was an avid racquets player. He spent many a day on the tennis and paddle courts and he and his paddle tennis partner were nationally ranked. He was the president of Orange Lawn Tennis Club from 1979 to 1981.
He had a love-hate relationship with the game of golf and spent many years honing his craft on the driving range, but it was a long walk to the first tee. However, he was very generous with his playing partners, frequently offering new swing thoughts, sometimes on the tee.
Some of his fondest memories were spent on the links in Ireland with his family and friends and especially in the pubs afterwards, singing Irish folk tunes and having a pint or two.
Bob and Maurie were lucky to be active members in wonderful communities within Kiawah Island, S.C., El Dorado in Indian Wells, Calif. and especially East Chop in Oak Bluffs, which they have called home since 1990.
Bob was blessed with many gifts, including a deep and sustaining faith. But the most important thing to him, and his proudest accomplishment, was always and will forever be his family: his loving wife of 54 years, Maurie; their three children, Joe, Sean and Mara; and 11 grandchildren: Joe and his wife Maura’s six children, Mary, Dottie, Annie, Jojo, Freddie and Owen, Sean and his wife Sally’s three children, Molly, Charlie and Neve, and Mara and her husband Kevin’s two children, Lacey and Sam.
He was what the Celtic heritage referred to as an anam cara, a soul friend. No pretense, only honesty. He could look into your soul. And he let you look into his. He was loyal beyond words and generous beyond measure. He will be deeply missed by his family and all those who were lucky enough to call him friend.
Services will be held on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 11 a.m. at St. Augustine Church in Vineyard Haven. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Oak Bluffs. All are welcome.
Memorial contributions may be made to Martha’s Vineyard Community Services or Harbor Homes.
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