Posted: January 7, 2009
David Flanagan, Senior Associate, R J O'Connell & Associates
David A. Flanagan, Senior Associate at RJ O'Connell & Associates, passed away November 30th, of a heart attack. He was 45.
Dave Flanagan was a loving husband, father, experienced and proficient engineer and a good friend and will be greatly missed.
Dave had over 22 years of experience in the civil engineering/land development profession. He was a graduate of Northeastern University class of 1985 where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. Dave became a licensed professional engineer in Mass. in 1996 and obtained licensure in the state of N.H. in 2004.
Dave began his professional career in 1985 as a project engineer with Norwood Engineering Co., Inc. where he was involved with a number of residential and commercial projects. His work experience included preparing 21E environmental studies, surveying, and soil investigations. In 1992 Dave joined Sumner Schein Architects and Engineers (SSAE), a nationally recognized architectural engineering firm. While at SSAE, Dave managed a multitude of commercial land development projects for such clients such as CVS/pharmacy, Wal-Mart, Target, and Staples as well as for regional and national developers who specialized in the construction and renovations of regional shopping centers, malls and commercial projects in New England.
Dave continued to manage an array of commercial land development projects for Carter & Burgess, an engineering architectural firm based in Fort Worth, TX, which merged with SSAE in 1999. Some of Dave's notable projects include Westgate Mall expansion (Brockton,), renovations to Jordan Hospital (Plymouth), Northwoods Crossing (Taunton,), Wal-Mart (Halifax), Lowe's (Kingston), Searstown Mall Redevelopment (Leominster), Warwick Mall Expansion (Warwick, R.I.) and a multitude of others. In addition to his New England work, Dave successfully secured land use permits for an 800,000 s/f distribution center in Nebraska as well as for several Staples projects in Texas.
His dedication to his work and clients and his constant efforts to perform at a high level, lead him to be promoted to department head of the Land Development Division of Carter & Burgess's Boston office.
Dave joined R J O'Connell & Associates in February 2007 as a Senior Associate and Senior Project Manager where he developed a reputation as one of the best in the industry in managing, permitting, and performing construction phase services for commercial land development projects for local and national developers and his long time following of retail clients.
Beyond work, Dave was a dedicated family man and between family and work he some how managed to squeeze in a little time for hobbies. He enjoyed mountain biking, working out, aquariums, fishing and going to the beach, but above all, he enjoyed spending time with his family. He and his wife Lynne were married for 22 years and had three beautiful children. Dave was very proud of his children Samantha age 18, Erika age 16, and Christopher age 6, he loved them so much. This was evident to all as he shared his stories and photos of them. At times a newspaper clipping of an accomplishment would be displayed proudly in and around his office for all to see. At the company outing, Dave's commitment to his children was evident as he spent hours with Christopher in the pool helping, instructing and enjoying every minute of it.
Samantha was president of her graduating class from Cardinal Spellman High School and is continuing her education at The University of Miami pursuing degrees in communications and international studies.
Erika is a junior at Cardinal Spellman High School and an honor student as well.
Christopher is in first grade and enjoys playing with model trains, Lincoln logs and playing soccer.
Dave will be sadly missed by his mother Elizabeth for whom he cared for diligently and loving since his father's passing.