(The following was received from Paula F. Casey, Steve Cohen, Patty and Joe Dougherty, and members of the Flanagan family)
Think of the most intriguing, fun-loving, good-natured, well-traveled, kind spirit you’ve ever known. For those who knew Mark Flanagan, he immediately comes to mind. Flanagan, 79, exited this earthly realm on June 15, 2022, after a life that was truly well-lived, impacting thousands of people along the way.
Born in Washington, D.C., on March 13, 1943, he was the second oldest of nine children. Growing up in the District, he developed a lifelong love of politics. His father, Frip Flanagan, was a close friend of House Speaker Tip O’Neill and the Kennedy family, especially Bobby Kennedy. Mark became known as the “Mayor of Adams-Morgan,” a neighborhood in D.C. similar to Memphis’ Overton Square.
He was proud of his Irish heritage and loved spending his summers in Lisdoonvarna, Ireland, where he was beloved by men and women, locals, and tourists, alike. Many Memphis friends made the trek to Ireland, where Mark proved to be the ultimate tour guide. The late Silky Sullivan and he started the barbecue contest that was held in Fanore, Ireland, for several years so the Irish would know about Memphis barbecue.
He attended East Carolina University and American University in D.C. His professional career included plywood retail sales, real estate, and restaurant investments as well as successful associations with the late restaurateurs Silky Sullivan, Bud Chittom, and Thomas Boggs.
He came to Memphis in 1968 and proceeded to positively impact the city in numerous ways. In 1973, he founded the Memphis St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Pub Crawl, the forerunner of the Beale Street St. Patrick’s Day Parade. He served on the boards of the Hollywood Child Care Center and the ACLU, on the Shelby County and State Democratic Executive Committees, and was a 1980 delegate for Ted Kennedy at the Democratic National Convention. He ran for Congress on the Democratic ticket in the ‘70s and ‘80s.
A founding member of the Irish Eyes of Memphis, he was also active in the Memphis Irish Society. He worked with the late Irvin Salky on the first Beale Street Music Festival. He was active in Saving Overton Park and worked with David and Yvonne Acey on Memphis Honors Africa in April.
Flanagan worked closely with his longtime friend, U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, when Cohen served as police advisor. They were able to petition the city to establish a 20 mile an hour speed limit to make Overton Square safely walkable. Cohen said Flanagan was “a progressive and reformer. He was my longtime and valuable advisor. He was always willing to help anyone.” Cohen’s late mother referred to Flanagan as “the handsome Irishman.” Another longtime friend, Joe Dougherty, called Flanagan “the ultimate consultant.”
He was proud of his children and his brother Dennis Flanagan’s success in the restaurant/bar business.
His friend, Susan Sowell, said, “Along with the authentic architecture of Midtown, we’re losing its absolute legends. Mark was the Mayor of Midtown, political activist, cultural ambassador and all-around bon vivant who celebrated life each day. He, along with Irvin (Salky), was a vibrant thread of the colorful fabric of Midtown and Memphis. I consider myself so incredibly fortunate having known him for there will never, ever be any replication. Although they may not know Irvin or Flanagan and may not ever know who they are, these young people of Memphis owe so much to these men. These men were the real deal and free thinkers.”
Predeceased by parents, Francis D. Flanagan and Margaret L. Flanagan, sisters Martha Casper and Moira Cates. Survivors include his partner of 13 years and love of his life, Brenda Ofenheusle; his three children, Francis (“Frip”) Flanagan, Margaret (“Peggy”) McNamara Flanagan, and Hallie Goodman Flanagan; and siblings Sheila Cones, Cathy Flanagan, Nora Flanagan, Dennis Flanagan, Molly Flanagan, and Patricia Flanagan Sheehen.
A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.
