ROCKLAND — Nine and a half hours into New Year’s Day 2017, Edward Daniel “Dan the Man” Flanagan Sr. completed his earthly journey at the age of 80. He passed from complications of pneumonia.

His story began on June 15, 1936. He was born in Rockland, the second of nine children, to James and Eileen (Spinney) Flanagan. He was a 1954 graduate of Rockland High School, where he excelled in basketball and golf.

He entered the U.S. Air Force after graduation and was stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas. It was there that he trained for his lifelong career in medical technology. It was also the place he met his future wife, Llada Moore. He was honorably discharged in March of 1958.

Dan and Llada were married on April 19, 1958, in Wichita Falls. They moved to Dallas, Texas, and began their family, which quickly grew to five children. After the passing of his father in 1966, Dan returned home to Rockland to raise his family.

He was employed in the laboratory at Knox Hospital until 1971. He then went to work at Togus Veterans Hospital laboratory and he remained there until his retirement in 1997.

Dan attained sobriety in 1981. This was a difficult undertaking for him. But he did it and was able to maintain it to the day he passed. This was something he was willing to talk about to others — he was honored to lend his words and experiences, in the hopes others would learn from them. It was one of his greatest life accomplishments, an achievement his family was deeply grateful for.

He loved coaching. He began coaching basketball at Holy Cross Parish in Dallas. When he moved back to Rockland, he coached basketball at the Rockland Recreation Center, "The Building,” and at the middle and high school levels. He deeply cared for the children of Rockland and coached three generations throughout his career. Dan also taught golf to many local children, running the junior golf program at the Samoset Golf Club for many years. He not only taught the children about the sports of basketball and golf, he also imparted on them a great many life lessons, all with an incredible sense of humor! Everyone in town is more than familiar with the Flanagan salute.

After he retired, he began working at the Rec Center part time. You couldn't mention the Rec Center without mentioning Dan. He continued his dedication to the youth of Rockland until his retirement from "The Building" in 2014.

He also loved the game of golf, a game he taught all of his children, and many others. He won father/son and father/daughter championships; he obtained the elusive hole-in-one (more than once); he was Rockland Golf Club champion and won many matches with his sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews and dear friends, at RGC, the Samoset Golf Club and state wide. His successes on the links are too numerous to mention. It was only fitting that he took home the green cup this past August, winning the Flanagan Open with his children and grandchildren.

Dan was the grand marshall of the Maine Lobster Festival Parade in 1998, and he was the recipient of the Rotary Club's Paul Harris Fellow Award for Community Service. He received the City of Rockland Lifetime Achievement Award and a Certificate of Commendation for his dedicated years of service at the Rockland Recreation Department, and he was inducted into the Mid-Coast Hall of Fame in 2014.

In addition to his parents, he joins his wife, Llada; his brother, Bill; his sister, Rosemarie; and many dear friends in heaven. We have no doubt he is "teeing it up" with his family and dancing with his wife.

He is survived by his children, Teresa and Bruce Harrington of Fayette, Danny and Wendy Flanagan of Jacksonville, Fla., Colleen Flanagan of Camden, Keenan and Marcia Flanagan of Rockland, and Patrick and Suzan Flanagan of Fayetteville, N.C.

He was affectionately known as "Papa" to his grandchildren, Dustin and Lindsay Harrington of Hampden, Brittany and Jimmy Palmer of West Gardiner, Amanda Flanagan and Matthew Flanagan of Jacksonville, Fl., Grace Anderson of Camden, Tristan Anderson of Portland, Kendra Flanagan and Reilly Flanagan of Rockland, Philip and Jennie Flanagan of Newport News, Va., and lovingly called "Pappy" by Marissa Flanagan and her partner, Will Dean, of Wilmington, N.C.

He was amazed and thrilled to have four great-grandchildren, Stella Harrington and Hank Harrington of Hampden, and Raelyn Flanagan and Jayden Flanagan of Newport News, Va.

His brothers, Jim and Tim; his sisters, Carolyn, Mary Ann, Eileen and Kathy and their families; many nieces and nephews; and many, many friends also survive him.

Life will never be the same without Dan. Rockland will never be the same without "Dan the Man." He is missed more than words can say. Thank you for the love you shared and all you have done in this life. You are forever loved. Rest in peace.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 4, at 11 a.m. at St. Bernard's Catholic Church on Broadway in Rockland Burial will follow at Coughlin Cemetery on Rankin Street in Rockland. A celebration of his life will take place at the Rockland Elks Club on Rankin Street in Rockland immediately following his burial.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Dan Flanagan Scholarship Fund, c/o James W. Brannan, P.O. Box 1021, Rockland, ME 04841.

Dan's family would like to especially thank the doctors and nurses of Pen Bay Medical Center who took such great care of him.

Arrangements are under the care of Direct Cremation of Maine