CHICOPEE – John R. Flynn, 79, of the Fairview section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Thursday, March 18, 2021. He passed into Eternal Life at home surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Holyoke on December, 10, 1941, a beloved son of the late Russell F. and Pearl E. (Jacques) Flynn. He was raised in Fairview, graduated from Chicopee High School in 1960 and had lived in Chicopee for many years before moving to Belchertown where he lived for 13 years before returning to Fairview. He served his country during the Vietnam War in the United States Army and attained the rank of Specialist Fourth Class. He was employed as a tool and die maker for 35 years at Pratt and Whitney in East Hartford, CT and retired in 1999. While employed at Pratt and Whitney, he furthered his education and graduated as an apprentice. An active Chicopee resident, he served on the Chicopee Board of Aldermen for 20 years for the Chicopee Falls Ward Five area. In his younger years, he enjoyed biking. John biked 150 miles to Keene, NH to benefit Multiple Sclerosis and in 1993 he biked 600 miles to and from Canada to raise money for the Chicopee Visiting Nurse Association. During his leisure time, his greatest joy was woodworking and made many beautiful pieces of furniture for his family. John could always be heard saying, “You can never have enough tools!” Above all, he loved spending time with his family and his many friends. His family would like to extend their deepest thanks to the Hospice of the Fisher House in Amherst for their compassionate care of John during his time home with his family. He leaves his beloved wife and soul mate, Frances R. (Gleason) Flynn. They were married on November 28, 1964 at Saint Patrick Church in Chicopee Falls and were blessed with over 56 years of happiness together. He also leaves his four loving children, Cheryl A. Relihan-Burgos and her husband, Adrian, of Northampton, Timothy P. Flynn and his wife, Tracy, of Chicopee, Erika A. Medina and her partner, Daniel O’Neill, of Belchertown and Russell J. Flynn of Chicopee; his eight cherished grandchildren, Micaela Foster and her husband, Scott, Shaylyn Relihan, John Flynn, Megan Therrien, Liam Flynn, Mitchell Medina, Meredith Medina and Michael Flynn; his cherished great-grandson, Benjamin Scytkowski; his dear uncle, William E. Boisjolie of South Hadley; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, numerous friends and extended members of the Flynn and Gleason families. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his dear brother, Michael H. Flynn who was Called Home on June 16, 1984. His relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 9:15 a.m. at Saint Anne Church, 30 College Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. Please note that masks are required, social distancing must be observed and Church capacity is limited due to state regulations. His Committal Service with United States Army Military Honors will be private at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Agawam. There are no visiting hours. His funeral arrangements are entrusted to the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Fairview Chapels, (413-533-3307), 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Friends of the Veterans Cemetery, PO Box 739, Chicopee, MA 01021-0739. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com