Obituary of John J Flagler

FLAGLER, JOHN J (Jack)

Age 93, of Minneapolis, passed away on 4/25/2020

‘A useful guy who could fix things when they were damaged, including broken hearts, who love his family deeply and whose friends warmed and protected him’, Jack.

After serving in the Marine Corps, 1945-46, Jack returned to Utica NY and entered the new Utica College -Syracuse program, receiving a BA in Economics from Syracuse. Along with teaching at the St. Bonaventure University, he achieved an MS in Industrial Relations and Labor Law from Cornell and later a PhD in Humanities from Syracuse University.

Upon his retirement in 1993 as Professor Emeritus of Labor Relations and Director of Labor Education Service at the U of M (1963), Professor of Labor and Management at the University of Iowa (1957-1963) and assistant to Professor Alice Cook teaching at St. Bonnies (1955-1957), Jack had enjoyed a distinguished 40 year career in academics and public service.

He then turned to the arbitration and mediation practice (AMIS) he founded in 1972, to work tirelessly as a sought after juror, presiding over his last hearing at the age of 88. 

Achievements: Governor of the National Academy of Arbitrators, Chair of Federal Task Force on Unemployment, under Secretary of Labor Arthur Goldberg, Chair of the Industrial Development Commission of Iowa. State of Minnesota Human Rights Award, State of Israel Distinguished Service Award, U of M Provost Award, UC College Nexus Alumni and Outstanding Alumnus Awards, permanent labor expert for the US Department of Labor, American Arbitration Association Crystal Owl Award for distinguished service, MILE distinguished lecturer in Labor and Employment Law, to name only a few.

Jack was an avid fishman, gourmet cook, talented painter & artist, formidable gardener, golfer, swimmer, singer, former Golden Gloves and Marine Corps boxer and trainer, trained & loved the family dogs, a devoted parent and loyal friend.

He was predeceased by his dear wife, Susan Jane Flagler, daughter Susan Lewis, brothers Frank (Pepper) and Robert (Bob) Flagler sister Rosemary Hart.

He leaves behind, daughters Nancy and Trish; sons John Martin and Dan McGrath; son-in-law Jacques Lewis, daughters-in law Betty Flagler and Carolyn McGrath; 11 grandchildren; 2 great-granddaughters and 2 great-grandsons of whom he was deeply proud.

Visitation & Service Cremation Society 4343 Nicollet Ave Minneapolis on Monday, 11/08/2021 @ 8:30

Internment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Gate 2, Staging Area 4 @ 10:45, Service @ 11am