Edward Joseph Flannigan

Edward Joseph Flannigan, age 53, of Knox, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Wednesday, January 27, 2016, following a sudden illness.

Born April 6, 1962, at Shadyside Hospital in Pittsburgh, he was a son of Catherine Jessica MacIntyre Flannigan Gruber and the late Edward S. Flannigan.

He graduated Keystone High School in 1981 and from that time until approximately 2012 he served as the manager of the Captain Loomis Inn in Clarion.

Ed was currently employed at the Roadhouse in Clarion and was a volunteer fire fighter with the Clarion Fire and Hose Company No. 1.

He was a member of the Keystone Smiles Board of Directors, the Immaculate Conception Church of Clarion and was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, Clarion Chapter.

Ed was an avid Steelers and Parrothead fan.

He enjoyed family get togethers, cooking and reading. He loved his dogs and traveling the Caribbean Islands with his close friends by his side.

Ed lived life to the fullest, always greeting those he met with a smile and a hug. He was always good for a laugh. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Survivors include his mother, Catherine Gruber, of Knox; four sisters: Mary DiFiore of Pittsburgh; Cathy Larkin and husband, Gary, of Shaler Township; Ann Bell and husband, Jim, of Bloomfield and Laura Texter and husband, Steve, of Knox and one brother, Thomas P. Flannigan and his wife, Zsuzika, also of Knox.

Ed is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and friends.

In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Susan McCoy and Terri-Ann Strohmyer; brother, Joseph Flannigan; nephew, Ryan Bell; cousin and best friend, Tony MacIntyre; cousin, Joseph MacIntyre; step father, William Gruber and brother-in-law, Nick DiFiore.

Family and friends will be received from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday, January 29, 2016 at the William N. Rupert Mortuary, Inc., 430 Mendenhall Avenue, Knox.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 30, 2016 in the funeral home with Father Monty Sayers of the Immaculate Conception Church in Clarion, officiating over the services.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in the name of Edward Joseph Flannigan to the Clarion Fire and Hose Company No. 1, 525 Wood Street, Clarion, PA 16214 or Clarion PAWS, 11348 Route 322, Shippenville, PA 16254 or online at www.clarionpaws.org/donations.

Interment will take place in the Knox Union Cemetery.

Online condolences may be sent to Ed’s family at www.rupertfuneralhomes.com.