Sad passing of Ray (Charlie) Flanagan
On 6 January 2019 Ray (Charlie) Flanagan sadly passed away unexpectedly at home, aged 72.
Charlie started rowing with the Avon Rowing Cub as a novice in 1967. He progressed through the grades with an early highlight being a win under the coaching of Fred Strachan in 1971. Charlie then went on to win the champion eights in 1976 at Lake Karapiro.
After a spell away from active rowing to devote time to his family, Charlie started his coaching career with Avon Rowing Club, teaming up with his old school, St Bede’s College. This new venture was highlighted by winning the Maadi Cup eights in 1991.
Several years of coaching with the Avon Rowing Club produced many championship results in a wide variety of boat classes for Charlie - a record any coach would be proud of. As a result of his successes, Charlie was invited to coach the New Zealand University Eights in 1997 and 1998, and the New Zealand Junior Eight in 1999. The 1999 crew recorded the fastest time ever recorded by a New Zealand crew (at the time). In 2000 he again coached the New Zealand Juniors, and in 2001 he coached the New Zealand Lightweight Four.
Charlie's association with the Avon Rowing Club led to a term as the President, and he was later made a Life Member of Avon Rowing Club for his services.
Charlie will be sadly missed by his friends and associates within Avon Rowing Club and within the wider rowing community.
A service to celebrate Charlie’s life will be held at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, 373 Manchester Street Christchurch on Friday January 11.00am, followed by burial at the Belfast Cemetery.