William C. Flannigan

Albany-Lt. Col. William Chisholm Flannigan (USAF, Ret.) died peacefully on Sunday, May 24th, 2015, surrounded by family. Lt. Col. Flannigan was born in Canandaigua, NY, raised in nearby Geneva, and graduated from DeSales High School. He enlisted as a private in the US Army Air Corps in 1942, serving in WW II as an Aircraft Observer-gunner and intelligence officer in the China-Burma-India (CBI) Theatre. He received the Air Medal and five battle stars on his CBI theater ribbon, among numerous other awards. After victory in WW II, Lt. Col. Flannigan taught Air Force ROTC at a number of leading universities, and was a member of the inaugural faculty at the new US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, where he taught a generation of USAF leaders. During these years he earned a Bachelors and a Masters degree from the University of Maryland and a second Masters Degree from the University of Denver. Following his retirement from the Air Force in 1966, Bill Flannigan worked for the NY State Education Department where he rose to the position of Bureau Chief, and retired in 1982 to Florida, which was his "Paradise". Bill Flannigan lived life to the fullest and was often found with a pipe, a drink, and a meal smothered in catsup. He loved golf, telling funny stories, and spending time with his family and friends. His loss will be deeply felt by all who knew him. Bill Flannigan is predeceased by two wives, Mary Ellen Flannigan (nee Bredesen) of Seneca Castle, NY, mother of their six children, and Anne O'Malley Flannigan (nee Frautz) of Geneva, NY. He is survived by his six children: Colonel William N. Flannigan (USAF, Ret.) (Donna) of Valrico, FL, Jane E. Meicht (Neil) of Hudson, NY, Nora S. Laube (Alan) of Chittenango, NY, Molly A. Poleto (Peter) of Delmar, NY, Katherine B. Barton (Keith) of Sugar Land, TX, and Amy F. Dittmer (Donald) of Tampa, FL, 15 grandchildren, many great grandchildren, and his former wife, Janet R. Beckett of East Greenbush, NY. Funeral services Saturday, May 30, 2015 at 9:15 am from the McVeigh Funeral Home, 208 North Allen Street, Albany thence to St. Pius X Church, Loudonville at 10:00 am where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Interment will take place at a later date. There will also be a service at a later date in Melbourne, FL. Relatives and friends are invited and may visit Friday, May 29, 2015 4:00 to 7:00 pm in the funeral home. Those wishing may make a donation in Bill’s name to the Disabled American Veterans (www.DAV.org). To leave a message for the family, obtain directions, light a candle or view other helpful services, please visit www.McveighFuneralHome.com

Tributes

William C. Flannigan

September 9, 1918 - May 24, 2015