Obituary of John J. Flannery

Former Trade Association Executive, Mr. Flannery was an Air Force Veteran of World War II and served overseas for more than three years in Africa, Italy, India and China. A native of Elizabeth, Mr. Flannery lived in Fanwood for 34 years before moving to Warren in 1988. He was an aviation enthusiast, an aircraft owner, and former president of the Morristown Airport Pilots Association and as president organized and assisted in sponsoring the first air show at Morristown Airport. He enjoyed flying around Eastern and Central U.S. He frequently flew to his home in Pinehurst, North Carolina. After retirement in 1980, he became an avid golfer and belonged to several fine golf clubs, including Raritan Valley, Echo Lake and the Country Club of North Carolina in Pinehurst, North Carolina. With his wife Mary, he became involved in numerous charitable efforts including startup and funding of several senior citizen centers. He served on the Board of Trustees of Catholic Community Services and supported and encouraged many other endeavors of the Archdiocese of Newark. In 1998, Mr. Flannery was awarded the Raymond Russo Award by the Center for Hope Hospice for his work on behalf of the Center. Mr. Flannery was knighted three times by the Catholic Church and holds the titles of Knight of St. Gregory (a papal honor), Knight of Malta and Knight of the Holy Sepulcher. In May of 1989, he was awarded a Straus Fellow Certificate by the Rensselaerville Institute for his support and involvement with the Institute. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Engel Flannery and seven daughters, Barbara Perchaluk of Scotch Plains, Marita Delmonico of Morris Township, Gail Bronski of Scotch Plains, Pamela Wentzheimer of Franklin Park, Jacqueline Sullivan of Readington, Kathleen Schwarz of Millington and Beth K. Flannery of Austin, TX., eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and five foster great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 30, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at Higgins Home for Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd., Watchung followed by an 11:00 a.m. Mass of Resurrection at Our Lady of the Mount R.C. Church in Warren. Cremation is private. Visitation will be on Sunday from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations payable to Catholic Charities for the benefit of Engel Center, (a senior day care program), 505 South Ave. East, Cranford, NJ 07016 would be very much appreciated.