Richard T. Flynn

SOUTH PORTLAND - Richard (Rich) Flynn died Friday, January 13, 2012, after a battle with cancer. He was born October 9, 1929 the son of Catherine and Edward Flynn Rich worked behind the counter at Taylors Drug Store in Thornton Heights during high school where Sally Jackson used to buy candy. They started dating after she turned 16. This year they would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. After graduating from South Portland High School at 16 years old, Rich enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was stationed aboard the DD 865 Charlie R. Ware.Rich worked on the loading docks on Commercial Street for The Emery Waterhouse Company. He later became a salesman calling on hardware stores and lumber yards. He then worked for Barclay Manufacturing of New York, as a regional sales manager. Always the entrepreneur Rich and Sally bought The Larry Rowe golf Course in South Portland and ran it until 1975 when they sold it to the city. Next they opened Flynn Hardware on Main St in South Portland and later opened another store on Cottage Road. After selling the hardware business Rich and Sally spent the next 25 years retired in Groveland, Florida where Rich played a lot of golf, served on the city council for many years and finished as Vice Mayor. During that time they spent summers at their cottage on Stanley Pond in Porter, ME. He was a communicant of The Blessed Sacrament in Clermont Florida and St Johns/Holy Cross in South Portland. Many will remember Rich as a character with a quick wit, a twinkle in his eye and a lot of great ideas. He was proud of his Irish heritage, loved all sports Especially the Orlando Magic, Red sox and the Celtics. Rich enjoyed public speaking and was a member of Toastmasters International. He was quick to make friends anywhere he went. He was past president of United Commercial Travelers. Richard was predeceased by his son Peter John Flynn, his brothers Hugh F. Flynn and Edward W. Flynn. Richard is survived by his loving wife Sally Ann Flynn of South Portland, daughter Linda Flynn and her partner Robert Brown of Scarborough and son Jeffrey Flynn and wife Jane of Cape Elizabeth, grandchildren Melissa and husband William Lathrop, Andrew and wife Meredith Nixon, Patrick Nixon, Joseph and wife Emily Flynn, Audrey and husband Reid Richardson, Tess Flynn and Dylan Flynn and eight great grandchildren. Richard also leaves a brother Robert Flynn of South Portland. Visiting hours will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, at Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. A 12:00 p.m. (noon) Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, January 17th at St. John the Evangelist Church, 611 Main Street, South Portland. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. The family would like to thank The Staff at the South Portland Nursing home for their extraordinary care and Rich's friend Dickey Stetson for his unwavering friendship. Those who wish may make donations in Richard's memory to: South Portland Nursing Home Activities Fund, 42 Anthoine Street, South Portland, Maine 04106.Online condolences may be expressed below.