Dennis P. Flanagan
May 18, 1947 - March 30, 2013
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Dennis P. Flanagan
May 18, 1947 - March 30, 2013
Obituary
Dennis Patrick Flanagan
May 18, 1947 – March 30, 2013
Dennis Patrick Flanagan of Rancho Santa Margarita passed away March 30, 2013. Dennis was born on May 18, 1947 in San Francisco, CA a fourth generation San Franciscan to Jack Code Flanagan and Clara Ehrman Flanagan. Dennis is survived by his brother Tim Flanagan of Rancho Santa Margarita and his daughter Jade Flanagan who is currently serving in the United States Navy aboard the guided missile cruiser the USS Monterey. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents Jack and Clara Flanagan and by his sister Joanne Marie Flanagan.
Dennis graduated from St. Mary’s College in Moraga and received his JD from the University of Notre Dame Law School in South Bend, IN. After a successful law practice in Boston MA, and Santa Barbara, CA, Dennis entered “retirement” in his dream job operating the steam engine at the Disneyland.
But Dennis devoted the last decade plus years of his life raising his adopted niece, Jade Flanagan, after the death of his sister in 2002. Jade was the focus of Dennis’s life and he was very proud of her decision to serve in the United States Navy. Dennis was a loving father, brother, and son, a wonderful friend to many, and a source of wit, wisdom, and amusement to all.
Dennis will be missed – but not forgotten.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, April 3 at 6:00pm with the Rosary at 7:30pm at O’Connor Mortuary, Laguna Hills. Funeral Mass will be at 9:00am on Thursday, April 4 at St. Kilian Catholic Church, Mission Viejo.
4 responses to Dennis P. Flanagan
tim flanagan says:
April 1, 2013
Please make contribution to the Red Cross in lieu of flowers… thank you ..
Tim and Jade Flanagan
cherie lebrun says:
April 5, 2013
Denny was a dear, loving man and father. At one time I lived with him and his fellow lawyers after they graduated from Notre Dame and was a roommate in their house where I served as their cook while finishing a dissertation at Notre Dame. When I lived in CA, I kept in touch as much as I could, was so happy about his beautiful daughter and loving care. Then, just a week before he died I had a dream about Denny. He was helping my Collie boy, Sir Laddie, who passed away 2 years ago, and I asked him to watch my sweet boy. Then, I got Denny’s email and wrote to him about the dream, as in the dream He and I were discussing the importance of Positive Thoughts (love) vs negativity (fear). He wrote an email to me just DAYS before he passed away, so happy to hear from his old cook and said the following! “WHAT A DELIGHTFUL SURPRISE!!!!!!! I know I’m shouting.my spirits are great! I have made my peace, I have no negative emotions, I see so much now with such clarity and strength that it is indescribeable, I cry often with tears of joy and I am SOOOOO greatful for all my blessings. I tell this to all who listen — there is nothing to fear. I was blessed with an incredible vision once (I was not on any drugs or alcohol), I was stone cold sober. There were two doors we can choose to pass through to the other side. One is marked “Fear” and one is marked “Love”. We can choose either one. But my vision showed me what is on the other side of these doors. They both opened into the same infinite space and it was ALL “Love” nothing else. So choose love and enjoy the ride! Of all those I have known, you are the one whom I believe can most understand this. So I leave this to you (my gift) to pass on to others.” Denny knew that I also had a near death experience with such 1-3 months to live and had recorded my dreams for years. I hope the family reads his words above and that we all share his vision and his advice for years to come. God bless you all, with love. Cherie Lebrun (cheriew5@aol.com)
Dan Whitehurst says:
July 15, 2013
Oh my. I just googled Flanny (as we called him in college) because I’m going to Santa Barbara next month and wondered if he was still there. And I saw his obituary–what a shock. I have thought of him often over the years and now am kicking myself for not having tracked him down sooner. He was so smart and so good and so much fun. I have great memories of him–delightful conversations, memorable stories. Sounds like his last years were good ones. (Tim, I’ll get in touch with you to learn more.) Just want Dennis’ loved ones to know he had a circle of lifelong fans and friends out here that you maybe didn’t know about.
Dan Whitehurst
Saint Mary’s ’69
Barry Schoer says:
November 7, 2013
Tim & Jade, I only just found this. I loved Dennis very much and I would like to talk with you about honoring him with a special tribute in Santa Barbara. You can reach me at brs@spcsb.org. Barry Schoer.