John E. Flanagan

John E. Flanagan, 92, of Ft. Lauderdale passed away on the day of the 53rd anniversary of his marriage to Karen, May 20, 2015. He was born March 19, 1923, in Escanaba, Michigan. John was a famous ice skating comedian and producer of the long-running ice show, "Stars on Ice," at the Sheraton Hotel on Ft. Lauderdale Beach from 1964 to 1980. His in-demand act, "The Wacky Wac," was a tourist must see. After high school, John served in the U.S. Army in the 10th Mtn. Div. elite Ski Troops during the World War II Italian Campaign. His kind heart led him to share most of his daily rations with the Italian children who came to the Army camp daily looking for food . After his discharge, John starred in the Sonja Henie Ice Revue, Ice Capades, Roxy Theatre, Hotel New Yorker, Chicago Stevens, Lido in Paris and countless other venues around the world. John loved life and especially to make people laugh with his unique sense of humor. He has been cared for the last five years by his loving and devoted wife, Karen in their very happy home. In addition to Karen, John is survived by their daughter, Robin Balster (Tim) of Darien, IL; grandsons, Douglas and William; sisters, Marga...[more]

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Narus of Erie, PA; Joan Lee of Escanaba, MI and Barbara Larmay of Hemet, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Patricia VanStett of Milwaukee, WI. There will be a private committal service for the family at Evergreen Cemetery in Ft. Lauderdale. Contributions given in memory of John can be directed to Feed the Children (www.feedthechildren.org) or to VFW Post 1966, 350 SW 25th Street, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33315.