Harold William “Bill” Flanagan Jr. 93, Fought in Battle of the Bulge

William_FlanaganHarold William “Bill” Flanagan Jr. 93, passed away peacefully Saturday, June 17, at home surrounded by his family.

He was married for 61 years to his wife, the late Katherine V. (Boland). Flanagan was born in Haverhill March 31, 1924, son of the late Harold and Dorothy (Roche) Flanagan. He was a lifelong Haverhill resident and attended Haverhill schools, graduating from St. James High School in 1941. He served honorably in the United Sates Army during World War II, attaining the rank of Tek4 Sergeant. He was awarded the Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three battle stars, having fought in the Battle of the Bulge, and the American Theatre Campaign ribbon. He was employed as a supervisor with Western Electric for more than 34 years before retiring in 1980. He enjoyed golfing and was a longtime member of Haverhill Country Club. He was a former senior club champion. He was a lifetime member of the Haverhill VFW, Knights of Columbus and was a devout communicant of Saint John the Baptist Church in Haverhill.

Flanagan is survived by his four children, Erin Wrobel of Haverhill, Patricia D. Alger and husband Robert of Londonderry, N.H., William G. “Bill” Flanagan and wife Dr. Cynthia of Friendswood, Texas, and Kathleen E. Hartin and husband Brian of Brighton; five grandchildren, Robert W. Alger and wife Melissa, Katelyn E. Sassano and husband James, Michael D. Wrobel, Jennifer A. Hartin, and Meghan E. Flanagan; four great-grandchildren, Mary Katherine Alger, Julia Alger, Madelyn Sassano and Elizabeth Sassano; sister; Dorothy A. Burgess; and nieces, nephews and many friends.

Calling hours are Wednesday, June 21, from 5 to 8 p.m., at Grondin-Carnevale Funeral Home 129 Kenoza Ave., Haverhill, MA 01830. A funeral mass will be celebrated Thursday, 10 a.m., from Saint James Parish 185 Winter St., Haverhill, followed by burial in Saint James Cemetery in Haverhill.