Michael Patrick Flanagan

Michael “Mike” Patrick Flanagan, 67, of Lewiston, passed away suddenly from a heart attack on Thursday, August 22, 2024.

Mike was born December 29, 1956, in Niagara Falls to Samuel Patrick Flanagan and Marion Marcinowski Flanagan. Both, now deceased, had been public school educators — Sam in North Tonawanda and Marion in Niagara Falls.

Mike graduated from Lewiston-Porter High School, where he was a member of the varsity swim team. He served as a lifeguard for Niagara Falls public swimming pools. He attended Niagara University, where he was a member of both the swim team and the Dead Pheasants rugby team. He served in the U.S. Marines. And he enjoyed a career as a heavy equipment operator and project supervisor on commercial and industrial construction and demolition projects across Western New York and the United States. He was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 17. 

He loved riding his motorcycle, frequently with a group of friends who call themselves the Lo Ryders. On learning of Mike’s passing, several dozen of them organized and held a ride in his honor on Aug. 25, including wearing decals they’d made from a photo of a helmeted Mike, contentedly astride his 2008 Victory Vision, Arlen Ness Edition. Mike often could be found at Tin Pan Alley and Somewhere, two very special places to him. He was also a member of the Moose Lodge 584. In an earlier day, when he was more adventurous and his reflexes sharper, Michael was a regular stock car racer at Ransomville Speedway. Some of Michael’s friends called him, jokingly and lovingly, “Father Flanagan,” “Flanny,” “Crazy Irishman,” and “Scrodman.”

Mike is survived by his daughter, Nicole Flanagan-Morreale (husband, Anthony Morreale Jr.), of Lewiston, and son, Sam Flanagan, of Youngstown; four sisters, Joann Flanagan, of Lewiston; Kathy Burtner (Bob Burtner), of Conyers, GA; Suzan Flanagan (Robert Moore), of Minerva Park, OH; and Ann Marie Barbone (John Barbone), of Atlanta, GA; one brother, Tim Flanagan (MiHui Flanagan), of Hickory Creek, TX; two maternal aunts; and cousins, nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and -nephews.

Mike’s family and friends will remember him in a future “celebration of life” gathering.  His family has entrusted his care to the Goodlander family, OTTO REDANZ FUNERAL HOME AND NIAGARA COUNTY CREMATION CARE, 2215 Military Road, Niagara Falls, NY (716-297-9007).  Share condolences and memories at GOODLANDERCARES.com 

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