Eugene “Gene” A. Flanagan

Eugene “Gene” Alphonse Flanagan, was called home to be with his heavenly father on June 1, 2015.  Gene is finally resting in peace after his four year struggle with cancer.

Born in Columbia, on September 15, 1917 he was the son of the late Eugene F. and Agnes Shillow Flanagan.  Gene resided in Columbia his entire life.

Gene is survived by his wife Martha Flanagan.  He was preceded in death by his first wife, and the mother of his children, Evelyn Widener Flanagan who died in 1983, and by his second wife Frances Koziatek Flanagan who died in 1990.

Surviving are two daughters, Patricia E. wife of Willis Boyles of Marietta and Frances M. Flanagan of Lebanon; 2 daughter-in-laws Charlene Flanagan of Mt. Joy, and Susie Flanagan of Granbury, TX;  a brother Terrance Flanagan.  Also surviving are nine grandchildren, Angela Rapp, Christy Reese, Willis Boyles, Jr., Stephanie Flanagan, Edward Flanagan, Jr, Kimberly Shultz, Christine Barnhart, Dennis R. Flanagan, Jr., and Tammy Flanagan; and 13 great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by five sons, Eugene F., Edward J., Dennis R. and twins Michael W. and Patrick I., and by sisters Eleanor Salzman and Sr. M. Terrence R.S. M.

Gene graduated from Columbia High School in 1934 and immediately went to work in the family business, Flanagan’s Beer Distributor, which he owned following his mother’s passing..  He worked in the beer distributing business from 1934 until he sold it in 1970.  He ended his working career by working in the Furniture Department at J.C. Penney’s from 1970 to 1982.

Gene was a lifelong and the oldest member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church of Columbia.  He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Holy Name Society, the Toe Hill Hunting Club and the Red Rose Coin Club.

Gene’s greatest joy was being in church.  He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, coin collecting, going to the beach, walking the Columbia bridge and being on the computer watching the stock market.  He also enjoyed watching the Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Gene will be sorely missed by his family and friends.  The family would like to thank the Teal Team from Hospice and Community Care for the excellent care and treatment they provided to Gene.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, June 6, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 121 S. Second St., Columbia, PA with Father Mark M. Speitel as celebrant.  Friends may call at the church on Saturday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the Mass.  Interment will be private in St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to St. Peter’s Catholic Church,121 S. Second St., Columbia, PA  17512, or to Hospice and Community Care, 685 Good Drive, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA  17604-4125.