James "Jim" Flanigan

James “Jim” Flanigan of Wynantskill NY passed away on April 13, 2026.  Born in Troy NY on July 10, 1944 he was the second of four sons of the late Harry Flanigan, Sr. and Alice Barrows Flanigan.

Jim began life in South Troy until the family moved to Wynantskill when he was 5. He graduated from the Wynantskill School and Catholic Central High School, class of 1962.  He earned a BS in Mathematics from St. Lawrence University and an MS in Educational Psychology and Statistics from UAlbany.  He played lacrosse for both St. Lawrence and UAlbany.

On August 24, 1968 he married Marilyn Wolf of Watervliet and they celebrated 58 years before his passing.  They are parents of two daughters:  Dr. Theresa Flanigan of Clifton Park, NY and Lubbock, TX (Joseph Hallahan) and Lisa Cairns (Dan Cairns) of East Greenbush.  They have three grandsons:  Aidan Brock, Jack and James Hallahan and two step grandsons:  Riley and Cole Cairns.

After graduation, Jim taught mathematics for two years at Colonie Central High School and psychology for four years a Schenectady County Community College.  He then spent thirty years as Executive Director of the Rensselaer County Chapter ARC.

Jim also served for 24 years as a member of the North Greenbush Town Board as a Councilman and later Town Supervisor.  He was a member of the North Greenbush Industrial Development Agency (IDA) for 35 years during which time he played a role in the development of the Rensselaer Technology Park.

After retirement he participated in a writing group at the Sand Lake Library which led to the publication of four books: “Up From Second Street”, “The Great 2020 Paper Chase”, “People, Places and Politics” and “One Block from Main Avenue”.

In addition to his wife, Marilyn, daughters Theresa and Lisa and grandsons Aidan, Jack and James and two step grandsons Riley and Cole, he is survived by his brothers Harry (Cathy) and Ed (Barbara) and eight nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his brother Vince (Johanna), nephew Shawn and niece Colleen.

Jim was an avid sports fan.  He greatly enjoyed the track, soccer and basketball competitions of his grandsons and the ups and downs of rooting for the Boston Red Sox and New York Giants.

Donations in memory of Jim may be made to The ARC of Rensselaer County, 350 Jordan Road, Troy, NY  12180

Family and friends are invited and may call from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday April 17, 2026 at the Wynantskill Funeral Home, 294 Whiteview Road, Wynantskill. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:00 am on Saturday April 18, 2026 at St. Jude’s Church in Wynantskill. Burial will follow be at Memory Gardens.  Please visit www.wynantskillfh.com

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