A current member of Villanova’s Public Safety Department recently passed away.

Officer John Flanagan, an officer within the Housing Unit, died Dec. 4 at Springfield Hospital.

Flanagan had worked at Villanova for the past nine years.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Carol Anne Robinson Flanagan; son, Rev. John Flanagan; daughters Sandra Smith (Robert) of Downingtown, Kelly Gust (Jonathan) of Drexel Hill; and granddaughters, Emma, Megan and Finley Grace.

Flanagan’s daughter Kelly is a 2001 graduate of Villanova.

Kelly’s husband Jon is a 1997 graduate of Villanova and works in the Office of Communication here on campus.

Director of Public Safety David Tedjeske said he was deeply saddened by the loss of Flanagan.

“Officer Flanagan was one of our residence hall officers and was a really great guy,” Tedjeske said. “Genuine and caring, John was one of those officers who really looked out for the safety of the students.”

Born in Colon, Panama, while his father served for the U.S. Government, Flanagan was raised in the Roxborough section of Philadelphia.

He graduated from Roman Catholic High School in 1959 and Villanova University in 1963.

Flanagan was a captain in the United States Air Force where he served in Texas, Turkey and Tennessee after college.

He went on to work for the U.S. Department of Labor as an investigator.

Flanagan was involved in the Parish Council and C.Y.O. of Our Lady of Fatima Church and was a past grand knight in the Cor Marie Council of the Knights of Columbus as a fourth degree member.

He was the son of the late John B. and Helen Flanagan and brother of the late Michael Flanagan.

Contributions can be made to Operation Santa Claus, Office for Youth and Young Adults, 222 North 17th Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19103.