Cletus Donald Flanigan

Our hero, Cletus Donald Flanigan, age 90, went to his heavenly home on December 11, 2024. Cletus was born in Ecorse, Michigan to Cletus and Agnes Flanigan. When he was young, the family relocated to a farm in Algonac, Michigan. His fondest memories were living on the farm as a child and all the wild adventures he had with his brothers and sister. He moved to Arizona where he attended St. Mary’s High School. It is there he met the love of his life and future wife, Barbara Preach. Cletus was an amazing athlete and part of the St. Mary’s football state championship team (1951). He married his beautiful wife Barbara on February 4, 1956. Shortly thereafter, they started their family. Cletus was a dedicated and hard-working husband and father. He worked as a masonry contractor and started a business that he eventually worked with his sons. He was active in his church  communities (St. Agnes, St. Luke’s and St. Paul’s) as a Eucharistic Minister and a member of St. Vincent de Paul. He readily volunteered his time and masonry craftsmanship at St. Agnes, St. Luke’s, St. Paul’s and St. Mary’s High School. In his later years, he ventured into woodworking. His beautiful creations can be seen in homes and businesses throughout the valley.

Cletus lived a life full of love and joy. He touched so many lives with his kindness, selflessness and strong faith. He was a role model to so many of how to be a great man. Although he had many professional and personal accomplishments, he was most proud of his family. His legacy of unstoppable faith in God and love for family lives on in his family and we hope to carry it forward.

He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 68 years, Barbara Flanigan; his brother Dan; his eight children Tim (Carma), Ted (Debbie), Stacey (Julio), Matt, Michelle (Jeff), Alicia (John), Michael and Linnette (Kris); 25 grandchildren and 31 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on December 20, 2024 at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 East Indian School Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85018 from 6 to 8 p.m. with the rosary starting at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held on December 21, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 330 East Coral Gables Drive, Phoenix, Arizona 85023.

To honor Cletus please consider donating to Maggie's Place, St. Vincent de Paul or performing a kind act for a stranger.