The 2026 Scare Brain Cancer Away 5K honors Mike Flanagan, longtime East Rochester resident, public servant and member of the Rochester running community.
Mike passed away in September 2026. He was a devoted father to sons, Michael and Thomas, a proud father-in-law to Carly, and a cherished grandfather to his granddaughters, Avery and Courtland. A true family man, Mike is known for being kind, honest, loyal, funny, and incredibly social—simply put, one of the best people you could ever meet.
Mike earned his master’s degree from Syracuse University and spent his career as an environmental scientist with Stantec before retiring in 2022. He was a devoted East Rochester resident who gave back to his community through 12 years of service on the village board as a trustee and deputy mayor, as well as serving on the Housing Authority and Board of Assessment Review. Mike participated in this race many times and was instrumental in advocating for the village to provide Public Safety and Highway Department staff at no cost to the charity for this and all of the 5Ks that took place in the Village.
In February 2025, Mike was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma and endured chemotherapy, facing several hospitalizations along the way with strength and resilience.
Today, we honor Mike for the life he built, the love he shared with his family and community, and the determination that reflects the spirit of this race.
