Joseph Francis O’Flanagan

April 9, 1953 – December 13, 2020

Joseph Francis O’Flanagan of Alameda, California – engineer, regulatory expert, civic leader, loving partner, brother, uncle, and friend – has died at 67.

Born in San Francisco to Arthur and Jane ( Parker) O’Flanagan, Joe was the youngest of four siblings and the only boy. An honors student at Lick- Wilmerding High School in San Francisco, he graduated in 1971. He then attended the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree with honors in Marine and Nuclear Engineering in 1975. He also later attended Harvard Graduate Business School.

The third generation of a sea- going family, upon Joe’s graduation from the Merchant Marine Academy, he served as an engineering officer on ocean- going tank vessels for Exxon USA ( 1975- 1978). Following studies at Harvard, in 1979, he began work for Pacific Gas and Electric Company ( PG& E) at San Francisco’s corporate headquarters in the Finance, Rates and Regulatory Department. Joe held a succession of positions over the years, serving as Director of Capital Accounting, Tax, Budget, State Regulation, and other positions. Joe retired from PG& E in 2015 after working there for 36 years.

Joe was an active member of his community, serving on the Board of his homeowners’ association for more than a decade. Joe’s enjoyment of music, books, the outdoors ( especially the tidal wonders of Alameda’s estuary), and sports was contagious. He was a devoted fan of the Niners, Giants, and Formula 1 racing. An ageless curiosity and love of adventure and travel led to his explorations of places from Paris to the Far East. Joe, somehow no stranger to the sound of laughter, thoroughly enjoyed and loved his partner Karen, sisters, sisters- and brothers- in- law, nieces, nephews, and family, wonderful friends, and the community.

Joe is survived by his partner of thirty- two years, Karen Forsgard, three sisters, Marcella ( O’Flanagan), Elizabeth ( Frank McCarthy), and Jayne ( O’Flanagan). He is also survived by three nieces, two nephews, and six great- nieces and nephews. Joe’s wife, J Davis, died in 1987.

There will be no memorial due to the pandemic, but his family wishes you to raise a glass of good cheer in Joe’s memory. Donations can be made to your favorite charity in Joe’s honor.