Brian George Flynn Sr. ⁶⁸⁵⁵

Sun Journal
Lewiston, Maine
April 29, 2010

Brian George Flynn Sr.

LEWISTON - Brian George Flynn Sr., 74, of Auburn Maine, passed into eternal life on Tuesday, at Central Maine Medical Center.

He was born November 24, 1935 in Lewiston, Maine to Lawrence J. and Katherine (McIlroy) Flynn as one of 5 brothers: Lawrence Jr., Robert, (Brian), James and Thomas. He graduated from Lewiston High School in 1953 as an athlete of note, and went on to become an accomplished baseball and football player at Bates College. He also participated in music and theater. Among his highest achievements at Bates, he was a member of the 1956 Football State Series Championship team, and earned All State honors as an offensive and defensive end.

After graduating from Bates in 1957, Brian served in the Marine Corps, and on April 18, 1959 he married Jeanne M. Gladu at the Basilica of SS Peter and Paul.

Brian then entered into a career in education. He taught High School English and coached multiple sports at: Rockland, Thornton Academy, Bellows Falls (Vt.), Rumford and Westbrook. For fourteen years, he took particular pride in his duties as Head Football coach at these institutions. During his tenure at Westbrook, he earned his Masters degree at the University of Maine Orono and soon after became the principal of Telstar Regional High School. While at Telstar, Brian launched model programs which received national recognition.

A devoted husband, father and grandfather, he and Jeanne raised five children and sponsored their interests and ambitions. He passed on his love for education, sports, music, the arts, the coast of Maine and gardening to his children and grandchildren.

Brian is survived by wife Jeanne G. Flynn of Auburn, son Brian G. Flynn Jr. and wife Beth of Auburn, daughter Kelli Flynn Aitken of Auburn, Kara L. Pidgeon and husband Tim of York, Michele F. Lever and husband Scott of Auburn, Amy F. Boucher and husband Stephen of West Hartford CT and 13 grandchildren.

Funeral Notices

FLYNN \emdash Brian G. Sr., 74, a resident of 115 Shepley St., Auburn, died in Lewiston, April 27. A Mass of Christian Burial honoring Brian's life will be celebrated SATURDAY at 1 p.m. at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul of the Prince of Peace Parish. Graveside committal prayers to follow with military honors at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Lewiston. Memorial donations in Brian's memory may be made to St. Martin de Porres, 23 Bartlett St., Lewiston, ME 04240. Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at www.lynchbrothers.com. Family and friends are invited to visit Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the PINETTE & LYNCH FUNERAL HOME, 305 Alfred Plourde Parkway, Lewiston, 784-4023.

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Sun Journal
Lewiston, Maine
April 30, 2010
by Lindsay Tice, Staff Writer

Longtime teacher, coach dies

LEWISTON \emdash A veteran educator and high school coach, Brian George Flynn Sr. of Auburn, died Tuesday at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston. He was 74.

Flynn taught high school English and coached multiple sports at schools throughout Maine. In the 1970s and '80s, he served as principal of Telstar Regional High School in Bethel, where he was responsible for several innovative programs that earned the school national recognition.

But more than simply a teacher and coach, Flynn was an enthusiastic singer, arts aficionado, gardener and family man.

"He really had a kind of Renaissance approach to life," said Flynn's son, Brian Flynn Jr.

The senior Flynn was born in Lewiston, one of five brothers in an athletic family known for its speed, as well as commitment and determination. When he was a boy, his family moved from Monmouth to Lewiston, allowing the brothers to play football for Lewiston High School. As a student, Flynn played both baseball and football and became a multi-year letter-earner. He went on to Bates College, where he played both offense and defense on the football team. He was a member of the 1956 state championship team and earned All State honors.

After graduating from Bates in 1957, Flynn joined the U.S. Marine Corps. He felt the leadership training would help him in his dream career: coach.

"He aways thought that it was an opportunity to build character in young men," his son said. "That was the most important thing about it for him. Of course, he liked to win and hoped he'd have good teams and a successful record. But really, his priority was for him to share with young athletes the type of experience that sports and athletics gave him: build self-esteem, learn what it's like to be part of a team and collaborate with other young men and kind of cross that threshold from boyhood to manhood."

For decades, Flynn taught English and coached football, baseball and other sports at the high school level, including at schools in Rockland, Rumford and Westbrook.

He loved coaching and teaching, but Flynn was more than an educator. A bold, enthusiastic man, he loved acting and singing. It took little encouragement for him to burst into song at family gatherings.

"He had one speed and it was full speed ahead," his son said.

Flynn also enjoyed gardening, and at one point tended 880 tomato plants.

"He loved nurturing things and seeing them grow," his son said.

Flynn was a devoted husband to Jeanne, his wife of 50 years, with whom he raised five children. Four of them became teachers.

"You couldn't find a better father," his son said.

Flynn is survived by his wife, five children and 13 grandchildren. Visiting hours will be held Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Pinette & Lynch Funeral Home in Lewiston. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, with graveside committal prayers to follow at Mount Hope Cemetery.

  Events

• He had a residence in Auburn, Androscoggin County, Maine.

Brian married Living