Gerard Joseph Flannery, Jr.

Rear Admiral Gerard Joseph Flannery, Jr. USN Ret died on 30 December 2009, after a 4-year battle with cancer. He spent his final days at home in the loving care of his sons, for whom he lived his life; CAPT SEL Todd Joseph Flannery, USN, Mark Douglas Flannery, Eric James Flannery, and LCDR SEL Doyle Patrick Flannery, USN.?Rod? was born on 21 April 1931, in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY and was the son of the late Gerard Joseph and Beatrice Smith Flannery. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in Yonkers, NY in 1949 and enlisted in the Navy in October of 1950. During his tour as a Radioman on the destroyer Samuel B. Roberts he was accepted to the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Bainbridge, Maryland. Upon completion of the course of study at NAPS he received a congressional nomination to the United States Naval Academy and graduated with the class of 1956.After graduation Rod reported to flight training in Pensacola, Florida and received his ?wings of gold? in 1958. He subsequently transitioned to the Surface Warfare community where he served aboard multiple Navy surface combatants. From December of 1967 to November of 1968 he served as the Senior Advisor to the Naval Forces for the Republic of Korea Forces, Vietnam. He had command three times, aboard the Guided Missile Destroyer SELLERS DDG 11 from 1974-1976, at the Naval Surface Weapons Center, Dahlgren Virginia from 1976-1978 and finally he commanded the Guided Missile Cruiser ALBANY CG 10 from 1978-1980. During this time he sailed ALBANY, the flagship of the SIXTH FLEET, on its final voyage from Gaeta, Italy to Albany, NY where it was decommissioned. His follow-on tours culminated in his selection to Flag Rank, a symbol of the trust and confidence the United States of America placed in him for its future. His final assignment was with the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as the Deputy Director for Operations of the National Military Command Center. His personal commendations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Viet Nam Honor Medal, and various Service and Campaign Unit Awards. He retired in 1988 after 38 years of faithful service to his country. All the while, Rod had what he once described as the ?dubious, yet delightful? duty of raising his four boys all on his own. Throughout the years, he coached and mentored his sons, through sport and life; never missing an event in which they were participating. In retirement, he spent his time doing the things he loved most; service to the Ancient Order of Hibernians; leading the dedication of the Memorial to the Irish Brigade in Manassas, VA; walking the fairways from the Old Course at St. Andrews to the South Course at Torrey Pines, and any course he could find in between. An avid Navy Football fan, he enjoyed the fellowship of his classmates and their wives at tailgate parties for more than 25 years, never hesitating to let them, or the Academy?s Athletic Director, know exactly how he felt.He is also survived by one brother, Francis Xavier Flannery, and four sisters; Geraldine Howley, Eleanor Aycock, Joan Martin, and Patricia Foster; his daughter-in-law Cynthia Burns Flannery, many nieces and nephews, and his grandson, Conor Joseph Burns Flannery.The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Monday, January 4th, 2010, at Cunningham Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 5th, 2010, at Good Shepherd Catholic Church. His final resting place will be Arlington National Cemetery. A ceremony, with full military honors, will be held on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 1 PM.