William A. "Bill" O'Flanagan

William A. (Bill) O'Flanagan of Philadelphia, passed away peacefully on June 20, 2025. He was 78 years old.

As a child in South Boston, Bill developed a love of the ocean, the Celtics, the Red Sox and the Patriots that stayed with him for his entire life despite flirtations with the Philadelphia Eagles and Sixers. Bill was a proud 1969 graduate of Boston College and went on to earn a Masters in Education from Trinity College ‘76, a CAS in Education from Harvard University ‘81, and a PhD in Education from the University of Pennsylvania ‘91. Bill was a 40+ year Headmaster of schools for students with significant learning, mental and physical challenges including The Chelsea School, Kreb’s School, Pathway School, and Liberty School. Previously, he was the Head of Miami Valley School’s lower school and the Assistant Head of the Rectory School. Bill was extraordinarily passionate about education and the power of community service, marrying those passions in his doctoral dissertation which explored the transformational power of students with disabilities engaging in community service to help others.

Bill was known for his spirited tie collection, which was a focal point of connection with his students, as well as an affinity for folk festivals, pick up soccer and volleyball games, Volkswagen vans, second hand stores, Guatemalan worry dolls, taking classes with his grandkids at Penn, and watching his grandchildren play waterpolo, soccer, lacrosse and run in marathons. Any and all activities which involved his grandchildren brought him tremendous joy.

Bill was the devoted husband of Anne L. O’Flanagan. Loving father of Mary K. "Maisie" O’Flanagan and her husband Tom Newby of Atherton, California, William A. O’Flanagan and his wife Michelle Toll of New York City, and Elizabeth J. O’Flanagan of Philadelphia. Cherished "Grampy" and “Pop O” of Caitlin, Spencer, Conor, Megan, Bailey and Emily. And informally adopted grandfather of Ariana, Damian and Torey. Dear brother of Jane Lennon and her husband Andrew of Milton and John O'Flanagan of Washington D.C., and the late Mary C. "Polly" Brady, Kathleen O'Flanagan and Ann Kfoury. Brother-in-law of Reverend James P. Butler of Boston and the late Mary Gudjonsson, Margaret O’Flanagan, Timothy Brady, and Louis Kfoury. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews whom he adored.

Bill’s Funeral Mass will be celebrated August 23, 2025 at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick's Church in Somerset. Interment at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Fall River.  A celebration of life reception will follow at a location to be announced at the Funeral Mass.

Contributions in Bill’s memory may be made to WXPN public broadcasting (memberservices@xpn.org) or to any school or community initiative that is near and dear to his friends' hearts.

WXPN Public Broadcasting
Web: https://xpn.org/xpn-charitable-giving/