Obituary of Edward M. Flanagan

Long time resident of Bath, Edward “Mike” Flanagan passed away on Friday, 1/5/2024, at the Fred and Harriett Taylor Health Center.  Mike was 90 years old.  

He was born on July 27, 1933 to his mother Sabelle Chier and Frank Flanagan in Montrose PA.  Mike was raised by his beloved mother and grandfather, Anthony.  

Mike attended the Montrose Area School System and spent his youth busy with all kinds of activities, playing sports such as basketball, baseball and billiards.  From his early teens, he was hunting and trapping animals in the woods and seasonally fishing for trout in the local streams.  He spent considerable time learning how to raise vegetables and spent untold hours mowing the lawn and maintaining the family’s garden. 

Upon graduating from high school, Mike spent the succeeding summer working construction.  After that year, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War.  Mike spent essentially all of his time in Korea and served a term of two years.  He was honorably discharged in February of 1955.  

Upon returning from war, he continued in construction and immediately applied to college at Bloomsburg State Teachers College in Bloomsburg, PA.  Throughout his time in college he continuously worked to support his parents.  He also played one year of Freshman Basketball on the school team.  It was there that he eventually met his life-long love in Sally Sayles.  Mike and Sally married on June 6, 1959.  Both Mike and Sally graduated from Bloomsburg in 1960.

Mike and Sally subsequently moved to Bath, NY and started their teaching careers in the Haverling School System.  Mike’s career consisted of twenty years teaching Business Mathematics and Bookkeeping to high school students.  He then moved on to Guidance Counseling for his remaining ten years.  Mike retired after thirty years in the school system.  

During his time at Haverling, Mike was busy in many extracurricular support roles with the students.  He coached men’s tennis and golf teams.  Additionally, he was the coach for men’s JV basketball. Mike spent a number of years as the head of the Business Department within Haverling. 

Mike raised his two boy’s Patrick and Micheal on Rumsey Street in Bath.  It was here that he taught and passed on his knowledge of gardening and sports as the boys grew.  The Rumsey Street residence soon became a magnet for all of the neighborhood kids to come over to learn and play sports such as baseball, football, basketball and swimming.  Mike and Sally loved the action.   

All through Mike’s life he continued in his personal love of hunting and fishing.  He fished for trout and salmon in the Southern Tier and edge of Lake Ontario.  Additionally, he hunted for deer and turkey. He also hunted pheasants with his treasured dog, Pepper.  

When he was in his late 20’s Mike learned to enjoy golf, a sport he played for approximately fifty years as a long-time member at the Bath Country Club.  Anyone who knew Mike understood his adept abilities in golf, hunting and fishing.  Mike was able to teach others who would spend time with him in these endeavors.

Mike was also a long-time member of the Elks, the Bath Rod & Gun Club and the Jaycees.  Most importantly in Mike’s life, he was a devout Catholic.  He attended Saint Mary’s in Bath for most of his life and in later years he attended St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Campbell.  

Mike unwaveringly supported Sally in their mutual passion in raising funds to the IRA Davenport Hospital.  This mostly covered their mutually long retirement.     

Mike was predeceased by his mother Sabelle and grandfather Anthony.  He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Sally; sons, Patrick “Pat” and Michael “Mike” (Marianne).  Additionally, he is survived by his brother-in-law William Sayles (Nancy) and sisters-in-law Angela Miller and Gretchen Dunneman (Reginald).  

Per Mike’s wishes, there will be no church services nor any Celebration of Life.  

If you knew Mike and would like to make a donation to a worthy cause, you may write a check to the Keuka Health Care Foundation.  In the memo line, write Taylor Health Care Center in memory of Mike Flanagan.    

The Mailing Address is:

Keuka Health Care Foundation

Ira Davenport Memorial Hospital

7571 State Route 54

Bath, NY 14810