Msgr. John Flanagan, a priest of the Diocese of Syracuse for 60 years, died Feb. 9.
A native son of St. Patrick’s Church in Syracuse, Msgr. Flanagan was ordained Feb. 2, 1959. His six decades of ministry included service at St. John’s in Camden, St. Margaret’s in Mattydale, Our Lady of Lourdes in Utica, Sacred Heart in Utica, St. John’s in Utica, St. Paul’s in Whitesboro, Blessed Sacrament in Utica, and St. Paul’s in Norwich, and as chaplain to the Spanish Apostolate from 1975 to 1993.
On the occasion of his 50th jubilee in 2009, Msgr. Flanagan told the Sun, “I tried to serve the best I could. The people — they are the best teachers a priest can have. It’s a joy to serve God’s people.”
Calling hours will be held Wednesday, Feb. 13, from 4 to 6:30 p.m., at Historic Old St. John’s Church, 240 Bleecker Street, Utica. The funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, Feb. 14, at 10 a.m. at St. John’s.
