Community mourns beloved educator Chris Flanagan ’94

Fr. Brian Cummings, S.S.E. ’86, director of Edmundite Campus Ministry, on Friday morning shared with the campus community the following message, with an obituary, about the death earlier this week of a beloved alumnus and educator with extensive strong ties to the Saint Michael’s community:

Dear Colleagues,
Please remember in your prayers Chris Flanagan of the Class of 1994 who died suddenly of a pulmonary embolism on Monday. Chris was the son of Jerry Flanagan ’71, Interim Vice President of Admissions. Jerry and his wife Judy would like to thank the number of people from our community who reached out to them to express sympathies and offer prayers. They also would like it to be known of their preference that in lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to The Flanagan Scholarship established at St. Michael’s.

Mass Intention cards and notes of sympathy can be sent to the family at the following addresses:

Jerry and Judy Flanagan
495 Orchard Drive
Colchester, VT 05446

The Flanagan Family
8135 Oakbrook Court
Cincinnati, OH 45243-1233

Mass Intentions can be scheduled in the College Chapel by emailing Laurie Sabens at lsabens@smcvt.edu. We will also celebrate a Memorial Mass on campus at a later date.

There has been widespread media coverage in Ohio reporting on Chris’ passing and you can find them through a Google search. Chris made a tremendous impact in his community. One report can be accessed here: https://www.fox19.com/2023/04/26/madeira-principal-dies-chris-flanagan-poured-his-heart-into-children-teachers/.

Below you will find a full obituary.

In this time of the Easter season, may our faith in the resurrection of Jesus console the Flanagan family and all those who loved Chris.

Thank you.
Rev. Brian J. Cummings, S.S.E.

*

Christopher Jerry Flanagan

Chris Flanagan ’94

Christopher Jerry Flanagan (Chris), 50, died unexpectedly on Monday, April 24, 2023.  Visitation will be on Sunday, April 30th, from 2-6pm at Crossroads Church in Oakley.  A Catholic Mass and funeral will be held on Monday, May 1st, at 10am at Good Shephard Catholic Church, 8815 E Kemper Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45249.  The funeral will be live streamed for those who cannot attend.  A link will be provided on Good Shepherd’s website.

Chris was born July 14th, 1972, to Jerry and Judy Flanagan and grew up in Colchester, Vermont.  Chris was the oldest of five children, brothers Patrick and Michael and sisters Katie and Megan. He married Danielle Momper on August 1st, 1998, and was the loving and devoted father to Jack, Maggie, Emma, and Molly.

Chris graduated from Rice Memorial High School in South Burlington, VT and from St. Michael’s College in Colchester, Vermont with a Bachelor of Arts. He earned his Master’s degree in Education Administration from Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH.

Chris met his beloved wife Danielle while doing the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in Portland, Oregon after college.  They then moved to Cincinnati and were married.

Chris pursued his passion of a career in education, first as a teacher at Whitaker Elementary in Finneytown, an Assistant Principal at Mercer Elementary in Anderson, a Principal at Ayer Elementary in Anderson and ultimately as School Principal at Madeira Elementary School.  Chris was the type of educator the world aspires to have more of.  He was passionate, creative, and willing to go above and beyond for his students and school (of which there are many examples).  Chris believed in building relationships by knowing each student’s name and believing that no job was above him if it helped his students and colleagues. He was often known to open the door for students getting dropped off every morning; and once camped on the roof of the school for a fundraiser, reading a bedtime story to students via Skype and setting up a webcam so the students would know he indeed did stay up on the roof all night!

Chris Flanagan in a joyful moment in this photo shared on social media this week by his dear friend and classmate Annie Sanner Rosello ’94.

Chris was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying camping, hiking, and his favorite Green Mountains in Vermont.  Growing up in Vermont, he was a lifelong Boston sports fan—cheering for his beloved Boston Red Sox, or New England Patriots win or lose. He would have LOVED that his picture was on display at Fenway Park earlier this week.  He helped start the Madeira Colts Football Team and was instrumental in bringing lacrosse to Madeira.  He was a man of great faith and cherished time with his men’s group.  He enjoyed a great Phish concert and pint of Ben and Jerry’s.

More than anything though, Chris was a family man.  His love for Danielle and his children was always on display, whether through his attendance at countless sporting events, music concerts or leading them on adventures.  He was known as an incredible storyteller, for his ability to find humor in any situation, and his presence often lit up a room both at home and in the community.  He had a quick wit, and an ability to laugh and find joy in any situation.

Chris is survived by his loving wife Danielle; his four children, Jack, Maggie, Emma, and Molly; his parents Jerry and Judy Flanagan; his sisters Katie (Seth) Mobley and Megan (Sean) Mannion and brothers Patrick (Melissa) Flanagan and Michael (Bryn) Flanagan and many nieces and nephews.  He is also survived by Jim and Barb Momper, The Laux Family, the Mike Momper Family, and the Leonard Family.  Chris was someone who made everyone feel like a friend, and as such also leaves behind many friends, neighbors, and colleagues whose lives were made better by his joyous presence.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Chris Flanagan Memorial Scholarship at Madeira High School through the Madeira Schools Foundation (checks made payable to the Madeira Schools Foundation, 7465 Loannes Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45243) or the Flanagan Scholarship at St. Michael’s College in his name (One Winooski Park, Box 256, Colchester, VT 05439).

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Michael’s College at a later date.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.
And let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace.
Amen.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.