Obituary for Robert M. Flanagan
Robert M. Flanagan, 82, of Kenhorst, lost his battle with Parkinson's Disease on February 24, 2021.
Born in Brooklyn, NY, and raised in Scranton, PA, he was a son of the late George and Beatrice (Mawn) Flanagan.
After graduating from Scranton Tech, he joined the Pennsylvania National Guard. Following his service, he attended the Pennsylvania State Police Academy. During his 31-year career, he was on special assignment to guard President Eisenhower at Gettysburg. Mamie Eisenhower used to love to make him her blueberry pie. He then became bodyguard for Governor Milton Shapp. After retiring from the State Police, he was selected as the Chief of the Muhlenberg Township Police for 11 years. He was very proud of his service to his community!
He was the son-in-law of the late Joseph and Stella Screpesi. He is survived by his wife, Patricia (Screpesi) Flanagan; his son, Michael S. Flanagan, daughter-in-law, Megan (Chambers) Flanagan, their children: Patrick, Joseph, and Kailey Flanagan; his daughter, Kellie A. (Flanagan) Fonte, son-in-law, Pasquale V. Fonte, Jr., and their daughters: Stefania, Juliette and Patrice Fonte; his sister Margaret (Peg) Hafner, Honesdale, PA; sisters-in-law, Anna Mae Siegfried, Shillington, PA, and Connie Screpesi, Millsboro, Delaware; brother-in-law, Raymond Weisbrod, Shillington, PA, and many nephews and nieces who loved their uncle. Bob was a loyal and best friend to many.
He was predeceased by his parents, in-laws, and grandson, Pasquale Robert Fonte, his sisters, Jean Philben, and Sally McDonnell, sisters-in-law, Marcine Wiesbrod and Mary Ostrowski; brothers-in-law: John (Jack) Philben, Frank McDonnell, Robert Hafner, Richard Siegfried and Michael Screpesi.
Bob was an avid sports fan. He loved his Philadelphia Eagles and Penn State Nittany Lions. He was as well known in State College as he was in Reading! He was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Ancient Order of Hibernians, and Clover Park. Bob was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Police which included the PA State Police, Melley Memorial Lodge #65, and was a member of the Berks, PA and International Chiefs of Police Associations as well as the PA State Police Retirees Association. He played for the first biddy basketball team in the country and played at Madison Square Garden. He was a football coach to many with the Kenhorst Trojans and a basketball coach for the West Reading All-Stars.
A visitation will be held Saturday, June 5, 2021, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church, Reading. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Parkinson's Foundation or Holy Rosary RCC. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading is honored to assist Bob's family. Condolences may be expressed at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.
Born in Brooklyn, NY, and raised in Scranton, PA, he was a son of the late George and Beatrice (Mawn) Flanagan.
After graduating from Scranton Tech, he joined the Pennsylvania National Guard. Following his service, he attended the Pennsylvania State Police Academy. During his 31-year career, he was on special assignment to guard President Eisenhower at Gettysburg. Mamie Eisenhower used to love to make him her blueberry pie. He then became bodyguard for Governor Milton Shapp. After retiring from the State Police, he was selected as the Chief of the Muhlenberg Township Police for 11 years. He was very proud of his service to his community!
He was the son-in-law of the late Joseph and Stella Screpesi. He is survived by his wife, Patricia (Screpesi) Flanagan; his son, Michael S. Flanagan, daughter-in-law, Megan (Chambers) Flanagan, their children: Patrick, Joseph, and Kailey Flanagan; his daughter, Kellie A. (Flanagan) Fonte, son-in-law, Pasquale V. Fonte, Jr., and their daughters: Stefania, Juliette and Patrice Fonte; his sister Margaret (Peg) Hafner, Honesdale, PA; sisters-in-law, Anna Mae Siegfried, Shillington, PA, and Connie Screpesi, Millsboro, Delaware; brother-in-law, Raymond Weisbrod, Shillington, PA, and many nephews and nieces who loved their uncle. Bob was a loyal and best friend to many.
He was predeceased by his parents, in-laws, and grandson, Pasquale Robert Fonte, his sisters, Jean Philben, and Sally McDonnell, sisters-in-law, Marcine Wiesbrod and Mary Ostrowski; brothers-in-law: John (Jack) Philben, Frank McDonnell, Robert Hafner, Richard Siegfried and Michael Screpesi.
Bob was an avid sports fan. He loved his Philadelphia Eagles and Penn State Nittany Lions. He was as well known in State College as he was in Reading! He was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Ancient Order of Hibernians, and Clover Park. Bob was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Police which included the PA State Police, Melley Memorial Lodge #65, and was a member of the Berks, PA and International Chiefs of Police Associations as well as the PA State Police Retirees Association. He played for the first biddy basketball team in the country and played at Madison Square Garden. He was a football coach to many with the Kenhorst Trojans and a basketball coach for the West Reading All-Stars.
A visitation will be held Saturday, June 5, 2021, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church, Reading. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Parkinson's Foundation or Holy Rosary RCC. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading is honored to assist Bob's family. Condolences may be expressed at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.