Frank Peter Flavin
Nov 22, 1946 -
Jun 12, 2022
Photographer Frank Flavin died on June 12, 2022, completing a full and adventurous life. He came to Alaska as a U.S. Army photographer assigned to Fort Richardson. His last assignment was the Military Appreciation Picnic at JBER – an event he loved. Full circle.
Frank was born on Nov. 22, 1946, in Florida, where his parents lived after his father returned from WWII in Europe. Florida left no impression as the first-born Frank, known as Skip to his family, was soon moved back to the Flavin family home in Chicago – where Frank attended St. Daniels, St. Philips and learned the craft of photography before graduating from high school. Drafted during the Vietnam War, Frank received the "overseas" assignment of Alaska.
Once in Alaska, Frank never left. After an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, Frank joined a photography partnership and then started his commercial photography studio, Flavin Photography. His career took him on photo shoots from fishing lodges in Belize to dog sled races in Siberia, from shooting the building of the trans-Alaska pipeline along with Steve McCutcheon to many coverages of the Iditarod, and to his contributions, with the Old Iditarod Gang, in the creation of the book "Iditarod: The First Ten Years". He truly enjoyed photographing business and families across the state of Alaska. In addition to his passion for promoting Alaska tourism, Frank served on the board of the nonprofit Alaska Association for Historic Preservation.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Philomena (Roller) Flavin; in-laws, Richard and Joyce Galleher; and dear family friend, Annie Nicolet. Frank is survived by his wife, Gail Galleher; sisters, Rebecca and Mary (Gerard Kaszubowski); brother, David (Diana); niece, Pamela; brother and sister-in-law, Blaine and Kim Galleher; nephews, Brett Galleher (Kelsey) and Conner Merboth; as well as friends from Alaska to Australia.
As a military veteran, Frank appreciated the excellent health care he received from the Anchorage VA Clinic and the JBER 673rd Medical Group, as well as recent care from Providence Heart Center. Should friends desire, memorials in Frank's name could be sent to causes supporting military veterans or the Bird Treatment and Learning Center.
Cards and stories about Frank's life can be mailed to The Flavin Family, c/o Gail Galleher, P.O. Box 240944, Anchorage, AK 99524.
A reception will be held on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, from 5:30-8:30 p.m., at the Alaska Airmen's Lodge on Lake Hood.
Frank lived his life in color. His life was a blessing to us.
