Obituary of William J. Flanagan

Age 97, of Elmira, Keuka Lake and Bradenton FL, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, April 18, 2015. Bill was born in Elmira on January 2, 1918 a son of William J., Sr. and Nellie (Savey) Flanagan. He is predeceased by his wife of 61 years Margaret M. (Smith) Flanagan and son William J. Flanagan III. Bill is survived by daughter and son-in-law Marcia E. and Robert Ferri of Wyckoff NJ with children Andrea L. (David) Hekemian and Robert J. Ferri; daughter Jean F. Cullen of Elmira; great grandchildren, Payton and Olivia Hekemian. Bill was a 1939 graduate of Bentley College majoring in accounting and finance. In 1940 he went to work for Pratt and Whitney in East Hartford CT for three years. With the onset of WW II he enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1943 and served until December of 1945. While in the military he married Margaret in 1944. After WWII he went to work as an accountant at Remington Rand, a subsidiary of Sperry Univac. He was later promoted to Controller and transferred to Middleton CT where he was in charge of company plants in New England. Bill returned to Remington Rand as Controller in 1961, where he worked until the plant closed in the early 1970's. He continued with Sperry Univac setting up the world wide warehouse in Elmira for parts that were still needed for the company. Bill retired briefly in 1977 before going back to work as President of Brady Supply, finally retiring in 1981. Bill was an emeritus life associate member of the Institute of Management Accounting, serving as President from 1965-1966 and National Director in 1967. Bill and his family enjoyed 30 years as summer residents on Keuka Lake. There will be no prior calling hours. Family and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick's Church, Elmira, on Friday, April 24, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. Interment, with committal prayers and military honors, will follow at St. Peter and Paul's Cemetery.