Obituary of John Flynn

John Flynn, Seventy-seven, died March 29th, 2015 at his home in Rockaway Township, surrounded by his devoted wife and family. John leaves behind his wife of 55 years, Ellen “Nellie” Fahy Flynn; his four daughters Claire Serafin, Rosemary Fahy, Kathleen Hughes, and Eileen Flynn; his son-in-laws William Serafin, Kevin Fahy, and John Hughes his ten grandchildren John Joseph, Kevin,and Liam Fahy, Steven, Sean and Lyndsie Serafin, Brittany ,Shannon, Stephanie and John Edward Hughes; and his brother Thomas Flynn Jr. and wife Pauline. Predeceased by his two brothers Richard and Michael. Also survived by many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews living here in the U.S. and in Ireland. John was born on April 20, 1937 and raised in Kilkenny, Ireland, the son of Mary Murphy Flynn and Thomas Flynn Sr. After moving to the U.S. John lived in Wallington, NJ for 35 years and later moved to Rockaway Township. In his early years, John would work with his father, who was a blacksmith, in the Forge down the road from his childhood home. In 1956 John left his home in Ireland for the shores of America. He met his wife, Nellie, two weeks after arriving in the United States. In 1957 he was drafted into the U.S. Army where he was stationed in Germany. After serving with the U.S. Army, John married his loving wife Nellie on April 30, 1960. In the years to follow they had four beautiful daughters or as he called them, “his girls.” He worked his way up through different companies before becoming manager at Flexi-van where he stayed for 34 years. He not only took pride in his work, but truly enjoyed the friends he made during this time. Over the years, his expertise and good reputation gave him the opportunity to open doors for others. John was very proud of his Irish heritage, which led him to cofound the North Jersey Irish Association where he held the role of president for many years. He was the Deputy Grand Marshall of the West Orange St. Patrick’s Day Parade. He was a member of the I.A.A.N.J. Club in Wharton and the New Jersey Hurling Club where he was a respected teammate. Along with hurling, John was an avid golfer. He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus. John prided himself as a faith filled and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He felt his blessing in this life was family and friends. Visitation Tuesday, March 31, 2015, 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Tuttle Funeral Home, 272 State Route 10 West, Randolph (tuttlefh.com). Funeral Mass Wednesday, April 1, 2015, 10:00 AM at St. Cecilia Church, Rockaway (973-627-0303). Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested in his memory to the American Parkinson Disease Association - N.J., PO Box 910, New Brunswick, NJ 08903.