Obituary: James Patrick Flanagan, 61, of Southport

From Shaughnessey Banks Funeral Home

James Patrick Flanagan, 61, died in Southport on Thursday, November 23, 2017 of complications related to Lyme disease.

A lifelong resident of lower Reef Road, Jim was a carpenter by trade and a gifted woodcarver. The classic "Buds Deli" sign on Reef is one of his works.

He enjoyed sailing and kayaking, fixing up old boats and building a few, including the flat-bottomed wooden craft for his odyssey down the Connecticut River in the summer of 1999.

Jim could identify a bird in flight and gave shelter to homeless dogs, cats, crows, ferrets, raccoons and an African grey parrot.

An avid reader and quick to laugh, Jim was that good-looking guy in a Hawaiian shirt.

"Jimmy" was the beloved son of Alice and the late James Flanagan of Fairfield, brother of Mary and uncle of Carli van de Kerkhof of Amsterdam.

Burial will be private.

For more information and to leave online condolences, visit Shaughnessey Banks Funeral Home here.