Msgr. Gerald A. Flanigan, a retired priest for the Archdiocese of Detroit, died the evening of Jan. 21. He was 85.

Msgr. Flanigan was born in Highland Park on Jan. 27, 1927, and was ordained June 2, 1951. He attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit; Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Norwood, Ohio; and St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township.

Msgr. Flanigan celebrated his first Mass at St. Benedict Church in Highland Park. He served as associate pastor in 1951 at both St. John Parish, Ypsilanti, and St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Pontiac. He then was associate pastor at Epiphany (1951-56) and St. Rose parishes (1956-57) in Detroit; of St. Pius X Parish, Southgate (1957-62); of St. Hugo of the Hills Parish, Bloomfield Hills (1962-66); and Our Lady of Loretto Parish, Redford Township (1966-68).

He was pastor of Madonna Parish, Detroit (1968-70); St. Blase Parish, Sterling Heights (1970-77); St. Raymond Parish, Detroit (1977-85) and St. Colman Parish, Farmington Hills (1991-95).

Msgr. Flanigan was named prelate of honor to His Holiness (monsignor) in 1990. He was granted senior priest status in 1995.

Further details, including Msgr. Flanigan’s cause of death, were not available as of The Michigan Catholic’s press time Jan. 22.