by Amadeus Smith

Reporter

Hudson -- A pile of charred rubble was all that was left of a majority of the belongings of former Western Reserve Academy Headmaster Henry E. "Skip" Flanagan Jr. and his wife, Britt, after their moving truck caught fire June 27.

The Mayflower Transit moving truck was transporting the Flanagans' possessions to their new home in Connecticut three days before Flanagan's last day as headmaster.

Flanagan officially retired July 1 after 26 years leading the academy. His wife also retired this year from the academy, where she was dean of admissions.

Chris Burner, new headmaster at WRA, said the truck, which was carrying possessions from the Flanagans' home and offices, left the WRA campus earlier in the day June 27 with brake problems in the trailer of the vehicle.

The truck caught fire at a repair shop in Brooklyn, Ohio, when authorities believe a stray spark from a blowtorch used during the repair flew into the trailer, said Daniel Smetana, assistant fire chief at the city of Brooklyn Fire Department.

Fran McHugh, assistant to the headmaster at WRA and close friend of the Flanagans, said the loss was very difficult for the Flanagans when they first heard the news.

"They were pretty shaken up, but they're getting better," McHugh said.

While workers at the shop were able to pull the burning vehicle out of the shop, saving the building, the fire left a majority of the truck's contents as debris, with only a few items intact, Smetana said.

"It's just a pile of ashes," Burner said.

Among the more valuable items lost were a leather-bound first edition of the complete works of Winston Churchill and a painting of three of the Flanagans' grandchildren.

Flanagan told Hudson Monthly magazine in its June issue that he often turned to the writings of Churchill for leadership wisdom during his tenure at WRA.

The fire department estimated that there was $30,000 in damage to the trailer and $100,000 to its contents.

"Things that get flame damaged or water damaged usually don't turn out to be very useful," Smetana said.

Flanagan, who did not return phone messages, is being represented by Dan Bell at Brouse McDowell, a law firm in Akron, in attempting to recover the financial losses. Bell is the WRA's legal counsel.

Burner said there what a great financial loss, but the fire has had a significant emotional effect.

Flanagan spent 26 years as headmaster at WRA, the longest term at the position in the school's 182-year history.

The Flanagans have said they plan to spend more time with their two daughters and five grandchildren in Connecticut.

"We've been honored at blessed to serve Western Reserve Academy for more than a quarter century," Flanagan told Hudson Monthly.

Citizens Bank, at 5 Aurora St., is taking donations to help the Flanagans replace their lost possessions. Those interested can inquire about making a donation at the bank.

E-mail asmith@recordpub.com

Phone: 330 686 3928