Denis William “Dinny” Flanagan – Our family is deeply saddened to announce the sudden passing of our dear father Denis “Dinny” Flanagan on Sunday, November 25, 2018 at his McCarthy Place residence. Dad was born in Stratford, son of the late William and Emma (Petrie) Flanagan and has lived here all of his life.
Dad’s true passion was the love for his family. The game of hockey, however, was a passion shared by both our parents, and in fact, our entire family. Dad began playing the game at a young age in the Stratford Rotary Y Hockey League. He continued playing in the Stratford Minor Hockey system. Dad moved on to play for the Stratford Junior A Kroehlers, Kitchener Dutchmen and the Stratford Indians where he was part of the well-known Flick, Roth and Flanagan line. In 1951, dad was selected to play with the Lethbridge Maple Leafs representing Canada at the World Championships – a championship which they proudly won. He also served in both Stratford Minor Hockey and Baseball playing and coaching at many levels. He coached junior hockey in Stratford before taking over as General Manager of the Stratford Cullitons in 1975 – a position he held for 21 years. Dad was also the recipient of the OHA Gold Stick awarded for outstanding service to the game of hockey. In 2011 he was inducted into the inaugural Stratford Sports Wall of Fame in the Builder of Sport Category. As much as dad was known for his passion for hockey, he also had a great love for the game of baseball. He proudly served with the Stratford Fire Department for over 31 years retiring as a Captain. Dad was a faithful lifelong member of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Stratford.
Married in 1954 to his best friend and teammate, Joan (Morris) Flanagan who predeceased him April 14, 2011. Loving father of Denis Flanagan Jr. and wife Mary, Terry Flanagan (deceased December 29, 1991) and his wife Jean Flanagan and her husband Andrew Rodgers, Jane Flanagan and her partner Greg Beresford (deceased January 24, 2016), Mark Flanagan and his wife Joan. Papa of Jennifer Pyper, Amanda Kitchen (Bill), Katie Flanagan, Jillian Pyper and fiance Alex Lumsden, Shawn Flanagan, Megan Flanagan, Cole Abbott and wife Amie and Kent Abbott (deceased January 7, 2013) Big Papa of Cullen Abbott, Callie Abbott, Conner Abbott and Jack Kitchen.
Predeceased by grandson Trevor Pyper, great grandson Daniel Kitchen, brother Kenneth Flanagan, sister Joyce Raycraft and her husband George, and by his loyal friend Lily.
Our family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Peter Brooks, his nurse Allison, for the excellent care and support they gave to our father. We would also like to sincerely thank the exceptional staff of McCarthy Place for the compassion, friendship and personal support they provided to our dad.
Friends and relatives will be received at the W.G. Young Funeral Home, 430 Huron Street, Stratford on Friday, November 30, from 4-8 p.m. (parish prayers at 3:45 p.m.) The funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, 96 Huron Street, Stratford on Saturday, December 1, at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Avondale Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Stratford General Hospital Foundation, Stratford Perth Rotary Hospice Foundation or the Stratford Perth Humane Society through the funeral home. 519.271.7411 www.wgyoungfuneralhome.com
