ENGLISHTOWN – Municipal officials in Englishtown remembered a longtime volunteer firefighter who assisted the borough as a member of a fire company from a neighboring community.
Patrick Flannery, 72, died June 2 at Specialty Hospital of Central Jersey, Lakewood. Born in New York City, he had resided in Manalapan for the past 35 years.
According to his obituary, Flannery was a member of Manalapan Township Fire Company No. 1 (Millhurst) for 29 years. He served as president and vice president, and as a member of the Bureau of Fire Prevention. He was named Firefighter of the Year and a top five responder on several occasions. At the time of his death, Flannery was serving as a fire commissioner.
Members of the Englishtown Borough Council dedicated the beginning of their July 24 meeting in Flannery’s honor. A flag that was flown over the Englishtown Fire Department in Flannery’s memory was present to his wife, Carolyn, by Councilman Gregory Wojyn.
“We’re all here because of Pat,” Wojyn said. “He was a good guy who always thought of other people first. It is with my condolences and great respect that I present this flag to (Carolyn).”
Manalapan Fire Chief Adam Keaney, who was in attendance at the council meeting, added, “Patrick was invaluable to Manalapan. He was one of a kind and irreplaceable.”
In an online statement, the Manalapan Fire Company No. 1 wrote, “Pat is going to be greatly missed by his fire department family and the community. We are all so thankful to have served our community with Pat for so many years. We send our deepest condolences to the Flannery family.”
The Englishtown Fire Department recognized Flannery in an online statement, writing, “The members of the Englishtown Fire Department are saddened to hear of the loss of Patrick Flannery. Our deepest condolences go to the Flannery family and our brothers from Station 26-2 (Millhurst).”
