Daniel J. Flannery

Daniel Joseph Flannery, age 90, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Saturday, January 29 at Frederick Living in Frederick, PA. Dan was a longtime resident of Bensalem, PA and a longtime parishioner at St. Ephrem Church. He was predeceased by his wife, Helen (nee Downs), his daughter, Maureen, and his two sisters Catherine Beer and Margaret Flannery. He is survived by his brother, Joe, his son Daniel (Sara), daughter Mary Helen Treible (Bob) and his two grandsons, Bobby Treible and Danny Flannery. Dan was born in Jenkintown, PA on December 27, 1931, son of Daniel Flannery from County Mayo, Ireland and Mary (nee McCabe), whose mother was from County Mayo and whose father was from County Cavan, Ireland. Mary’s mother was Connie Mack’s cook at his residence near Shibe Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies and Philadelphia A’s baseball teams. Dan excelled in academics. He was a graduate of North Catholic High School (’49) and La Salle College (’53), where he studied economics. He served active duty for four years as an officer in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War and then served for six more years in the USMC Reserves. He retired as a Captain. When he met his future wife, Helen Therese Downs, he was a route manager at United Parcel Service in Philadelphia. After they married in 1963, he was named logistics manager for the Northeast for Standard Brands, a food company. Dan and Helen welcomed their children, Maureen, Daniel and Mary Helen into the world and a series of promotions moved the family from King of Prussia, PA to Richardson, TX and then to Bolingbrooke, IL before finally returning to the Philadelphia area. He commuted by train to Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, NY every day so his family could remain close to Philadelphia. When Standard Brands merged with Nabisco and moved to Moorestown, NJ, he commuted two hours each way by car. He became the national distribution manager for Nabisco Brands, a position he held until he retired. Dan’s wife, Helen, passed away in 1998, which was the same year that Dan retired from Nabisco. In his retirement, he pursued many different volunteer endeavors. He drove the elderly Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament to their appointments. He cooked and delivered meals to shut-ins. He wrote the newsletter and managed trips and finances for his widows/widowers' group, To Live Again. He served his community in St. Ephrem’s Church during his 46 years as a parishioner. He taught CCD classes on Sunday for many years. He visited parish households and collected funds for the Catholic Charities Appeal. He went on retreat for many years with the Men of Malvern. He cooked meals for the less fortunate as a part of the Aid for Friends program. He was also a member of the parish bowling league. He was a proud, lifelong Democrat. He subscribed to the Courier Times, The Inquirer, The Philadelphia Daily News, The Standard and Times, America and Commonweal. He lived by the Latin motto of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales who taught him at North Catholic: “Tenui Nec Dimittam – Take hold of life and don’t ever let go.” He enjoyed taking his family to Avalon each summer. He enjoyed a Manhattan and a martini, in either order. He enjoyed classical music. He loved to listen to the Phillies game on a Sunday and tinker in his garage while he smoked his cigar. He enjoyed following the stock market and buying and selling stocks. He never missed an Eagles game. He enjoyed taking his wife, Helen, for a ride in the car just to see where the road would take them. Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing on Saturday, February 5, 10:00 – 10:45 AM and a Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM. Viewing and mass will both be at St. Ephrem Church, 5400 Hulmeville Road, Bensalem, PA 19020. Masks are required inside the church. His interment will be at Resurrection Cemetery across from St. Ephrem’s Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dan’s honor to the Catholic Charities Appeal at their website: catholiccharitiesappeal.org The services are entrusted to Hoffmann-Meyers-Givnish Funeral Home, Bensalem, PA. Condolences can be made at their website: www.hmgfh.com