Christopher J. Flanagan ’94
CHRISTOPHER J. FLANAGAN, Madeira, OH, died April 24, 2023, at age 50 from a pulmonary embolism. Chris grew up in Colchester, VT, the eldest child of Jerry Flanagan ’71 and Judy Flanagan M’92, and hero to his younger brothers Patrick Flanagan ’98 and Michael Flanagan ’01, and sisters Katie and Megan Flanagan ’11. Chris met his beloved wife Danielle Momper while working with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in Portland, OR, after college. They married in 1998 and moved to Cincinnati, OH. He was a loving and devoted father to Jack, Maggie ’26, Emma, and Molly.
Chris graduated from Rice Memorial High School in South Burlington, VT, and earned a bachelor of arts degree at Saint Michael’s. He earned his master’s degree in education administration from Xavier University in Cincinnati. Chris pursued his passion for education at suburban Cincinnati schools, first as a teacher at Whitaker Elementary, then as assistant principal at Mercer Elementary, as principal at Ayer, and ultimately as school principal at Madeira Elementary School. Chris was passionate, creative, and willing to go above and beyond for his students and school. He believed in building relationships by knowing each student’s name and felt that no job was beneath him if it helped his students and colleagues. He often held open the door and greeted students in the morning, and he 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 could ensure he remained on that roof all night!
Chris was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying camping, hiking, and his favorite Green Mountains. Growing up in Vermont, he was a lifelong Boston sports fan, cheering for his beloved Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots, win or lose. 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 live Phish concert and a pint of Ben and Jerry’s.
His enthusiasm for life was unmatched. There was no one else like him—not only universally liked, but universally loved. He was the best of the best: the glue that held everyone together, the friend who pulled everyone in on the fun, the giver of giant hugs, and the ringleader of so many shenanigans. We were fortunate to share time and space with him and be in his orbit. His gravitational pull was mighty.
More than anything else, 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 and music concerts or leading them on adventures. He was known as a storyteller, and his presence often lit up the 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, four children, his parents, sisters Katie (Seth) Mobley and Megan (Sean) Mannion, and brothers Patrick (Melissa) Flanagan and Michael (Bryn) Flanagan, many nieces and nephews, and extended family, including a wide array of Purple Knights: his uncle Bill Flanagan ’72, aunt Patricia Zachman ’76, uncle David Carriere ’83, and brother-in-law Sean Mannion ’12. Chris made everyone feel like a friend, and leaves behind countless students, neighbors, and colleagues whose lives were made better by his joyous presence.