Terence James (T.J.) Flanagan III, 52, passed away in Lemont, Illinois on March 17, 2023.
T.J. was born on December 4, 1970, in Monmouth, IL. He was born to Julie Ann (Campbell) Flanagan and Terence James Flanagan, Jr. He was preceded in death by both of them, his grandparents Terence James and Monica (Mills) Flanagan, Roy Woodrow, and Agnes (Schoel) Campbell, and uncles Stephen and John Flanagan and one aunt, Marie Flanagan.
T.J. is survived by his two beloved children, Mary Flanagan (20) and Terence James Flanagan IV, (17) both of Sandwich, Illinois; his dear sister Susan (Petr) Hornik of Lemont, Illinois; his niece, Jasmine (Drew) Barlow; nephews: Cameron Hornik and Nathan Hornik; and his aunt, Susan (Tim) Muth; cousins Jennifer Sturm, Amy Hill, Jeffrey Muth, Stephen Flanagan and Marna (Flanagan) Monaghan and other extended family.
He grew up in Roseville, IL, graduating from Roseville High School in 1989.
He was active in the Boy Scouts, attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. T.J. played football and track for the Roseville Panthers, was a member of the band, was in school plays, and was Senior Class President. He was also instrumental in the design and stealth implementation of school pranks that left people in awe. Unbeknownst to many, he was also a volunteer firefighter and EMT in Roseville. He attended Western Illinois University where he was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity and graduated with a B.S. in Finance.
With his degree in Finance and the ambition and work ethic that comes from being raised in Roseville, Illinois, a small, close-knit farming community; it wasn’t surprising that T.J. thrived professionally and embraced the excitement of corporate finance and the fast pace of the stock market! T.J. rose up through the ranks beginning with being a financial advisor and stockbroker dating back to the mid-1990s.
T.J. most recently was a VP of a large national financial institution and he drove trends in investment solutions and trading for nearly 16 years. T.J. had a thorough knowledge of often complex financial matters. His clientele was by far the most loyal, allegiant group of people who loved him dearly because he was down-to-earth and fun to work with. His small-town approachability, common sense, and humility made him easy to collaborate with and develop long-term friendships. He genuinely loved working with these people and helping them succeed. T.J. never knew a stranger and made you feel like family once meeting him.
He loved sports, particularly football and hockey; including the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears, Cubs, Blackhawks, and let’s not forget the Iowa Hawkeyes! He was a connoisseur of bourbon and whiskey but would certainly not shy away from a Miller Lite. He loved grilling outside the very meat that came from his farmer friends in Roseville. Truly, he loved trucks, tractors, tools, and working with his hands. He loved holding court, regaling others with his mesmerizing gift of storytelling, and ending each story with a hardy laugh that left everyone with ebullient laughter and tears. T.J. was a voracious reader, who loved world history, politics, lifelong learning, and music (genres ranging from country and rock to opera), and loved his country and the constitution of the USA. He also loved taking his Black Lab Ranger to the dog parks and on car rides.
T.J. was blessed with two beautiful children, Mary and Terry; his most important gifts and who brought sunshine and happiness into his very being. Above all else, T.J. loved being their dad and he was most proud of them. He will be so very missed by all who knew him.
His funeral will be held on Saturday, April 1st at 11:00 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, 200 W. Broadway Ave., in Monmouth, Illinois. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Monmouth. After these services, in true T.J. fashion, fellowship and a celebration of life will be held at Twisted Too Bar & Grill, in Roseville, Illinois.
Memorials can be made to the Roseville Area Ambulance Service, Roseville Community Center, or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
