James Flad
February 17, 1947 - June 02, 2025
Obituary
James “Jim” Francis Flad, age 78, passed on to eternal life on Monday, June 2, 2025, at Agrace Hospice, surrounded by his family. The past five years, Jim had endured lymphoma with six months of chemotherapy, quadruple bypass surgery, and a continuing regimen of medications to address various autoimmune diseases. He accepted all medical setbacks prayerfully and courageously.
Jim was born on February 17, 1947, in Madison Wisconsin, the first child of Joseph and Patricia Flad. Jim’s early years were punctuated with Indian folklore, and a love of sports, particularly basketball and baseball, where he excelled as a hard, throwing, right-hander in the city’s, midget, and junior leagues. He attended Edgewood High School and distinguished himself on EHS’s inaugural tennis teams.
An avid student, Jim was particularly proud of his political science degree from UW Stevens Point, and his masters degree in international affairs from Florida State University. Captivated by the Florida weather, Jim enjoyed administrative jobs in Tallahassee, Miami, and Palm Coast before returning to Madison in 1985 as co-developer/sales agent of the Coventry Condominiums in Madison’s Hilldale neighborhood. It was Jim’s creative experience with real estate development that ignited a new-found passion, photography. The next twenty years, Jim enjoyed great success as a professional photographer with his signature photograph, “Bert’s Bath”, which sold over 40,000 posters in 26 countries.
The intersection of travel and religious fervor took Jim on a Catholic pilgrimage to Medugorje, in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was that pilgrimage to Medugorje that deepened Jim’s Catholic faith and devotion. He answered the call of Pro Labore Dei and established the apostolate in Madison Wisconsin in 2003 feeding the homeless in downtown Madison. A nonprofit run by volunteers that continues their mission of feeding and clothing the homeless to this very day.
Jim’s love of camping resulted in a truly “déjà vu encounter” meeting his future wife, Becky Seeling, who totally shared his devotion to the great outdoors. Already well into his sixties, Jim says he wasn’t looking for a wife at that “rendezvous” along the Mississippi River years ago, but did he ever find a good one! These past ten years of marriage have been punctuated by sincere love and care and oh yeah – cooking. No one was better nourished in Dane County these past few years than Jim Flad. Becky has been a “Rock Star” attending to Jim during these various medical setbacks.
Jim was a kind, gentle and considerate man. He particularly valued his family, his faith and his volunteer community of Pro Labore Dei. His lifelong infatuation with cars (Porsche), and unique bicycles, with great design and craftmanship, never waned over his lifetime.
He was preceded in death by his parents. Jim will be remembered as a loving, caring brother to John (Coleen), and Julie (Tom) and the outdoorsy, spirited Uncle Jimmy to Jennifer (Pete) Marino, Andrew (Ana) Flad, Brian (Megan) Flad, Kiera Flad, Lindsey (Adam) Lemmer, and Alyana (Matt) Lemmer.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Julie Chang, Carbone Cancer Center, and Nurse Navigator Mary Beth Henry, UW Hospital and Clinics. Also, the family would like to share sincere and heartfelt appreciation to the angels at Agrace Hospice and Comfort Keepers for their quality, attentive care of Jim.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at Saint Maria Goretti Catholic Church, 5313 Flad Avenue, Madison at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, June 11,2025 with Monsignor Kevin Holmes presiding. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 AM until the time of Mass on Wednesday. Private family burial at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery following the Mass.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
Pro Labore Dei,
c/o Becky Flad
3641 Okanogan Court
Verona, WI 53593
St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church
5313 Flad Ave.
Madison, WI 53711
Edgewood High School
2219 Monroe St.
Madison, WI 53711
To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com
Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services
Legacy Center
6728 Mader Drive
608-274-1000
Events
Visitation
Wed Jun 11, 2025 @ 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church • 5313 Flad Avenue, Madison, WI 53711
Mass of Christian Burial
Wed Jun 11, 2025 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT
St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church • 5313 Flad Avenue, Madison, WI 53711
Photos
Memories
C
CE
Friend •
When I met Jim, him and a few other people were handing out brown bag lunches to the homeless at the library in downtown Madison and I was inspired. I decided then and there to help out next week and then eventually hot meals were being served at Peace Park, and we got more volunteers over the years. Jim was a great friend, he would always give of his time and heart to help anyone in need.He would take me and my friend Daren to his house on our birthdays and we would get pizza or burritos as big as our head. And we would get some old movies to enjoy and sleep over on the leather couch or sleeping bag, he was a loving person, I can't count all the people he has blessed and touched with his life, He is with God now and everyone who knew him on earth will miss him
SS
Sr. Stella-maris
Family •
My heart is sad because we will neither see nor hear him any more on this planet. The Jim who was one of the first missionaries of Pro Labore Dei whom the Lord prepared their hearts to meet me and spread His work in America in the year 2009. At his departure, he was the Regional Coordinator for Pro Labore Dei U.S.A and Canada, a great missionary, pioneer, highly committed member and very generous. We will miss him greatly, especially myself with whom he worked so closely from day one when the Lord sent me to America, with Steve Banaszak they were the first receptors of the spirit, charism and apostolate of Pro Labore Dei. They would drive me everywhere and stood by me. America U.S.A will miss him, the poor whom he fed with sumptuous meals will miss him, so many others will miss him but we are consoled that he has gone to his heavenly reward – where Jesus said “I go to prepare a place for you so that where I am you also will be there” . Jim, my brother enjoy your place in Heaven, you will never be sick again. United in prayers in our God given mission
TM
Tim Murphy
Friend •
It is with much grieving and sadness that we bid farewell from our temporary earthly home that you gave so much to so many, Thank you for your twenty plus years of serving the homeless, not only in Madison but also in other eight serving locations in the United States. No one could have done more for their fellow man than you having served over 186,000 meals for our brothers and sisters who live on the streets with the help of your volunteers. You worked seven days a week organizing, planning, shopping and filling out reports. There were also shoe drives, clothes and coat drives, contributions, sponsors and thank you notes to send. Few saw all the work that went into making Pro Labore Dei run successfully even during your five years of illness. A very special thank you to your dedicated wife, Becky, who has served along side you the entire time if your marriage. She has also been your constant caretaker for the past difficult five years. Becky, you are awesome. Jim, I know you are already in Heaven. You have well earned your eternal reward and may you rest in the peace of Christ for all your service. Thank you for your leadership, your excellent example and your devotion to your Catholic faith. You are the best. God Bless, good friend. Tim Murphy, Pro Labore Dei member
D
Daren
Friend •
Very sad to hear of a very dear friend of mine and a beacon of light to the homeless community. I met him handing out lunches and meals at Peace Park. We became great friends. He would often invite me and CE over to his house, to get a weekend off the streets. He also took us up to Devils Lake a couple times. He would always celebrate our birthdays with pizza and a movie. He had the most giving and serving heart. Last time I saw him was probably in 2012? Jim, you touched my life in a special way. And I know that many people were impacted by you. Your light will always shine on. Thanks for the many years of friendship and memories.
E
EvaJohnston
Friend •
Words fail me. There is so much to say about you Jim, but where to begin? It is because of your devotion and love for God and His Blessed Mother pouring out from you that PLD grew to reach those in need. You truly lived your faith and love. We miss you already.
MO
Mary Frances Onwughalu
Coworker •
I was so enamored by the stories of Rev. Sr. Stella Maris about her first visit to the United States and her encounter with Jim Glad and Steve Banasak. We hear so many beautiful stories about how the American Apostolate to the poor is flourishing under the service of Jim Glad and a host of many others like Ann of Chicago. We were so encouraged by their example. I never knew I would have the opportunity to meet Jim flad until when he visited Nigeria some years back. He was staying at St Ann's and I was sent to attend to him. I left his place feeling so edified because of the way he listened to me as if he knew nothing about what I was saying. He made me feel very relevant and he expressed great appreciation. Within me, I was touched by his humility because all along I knew that he knew more than I said to him but the way he listened and asked questions as if he didn't know edified and taught me. We all miss him in Pro Labore Dei International but we know that Heaven has gained by his exit. Rest on Soldier of Christ, till we meet again on that glorious morning. Msnry. Mary Frances (Missionary of Love and Mercy (mlm))