Worcester—Francis J. Flynn, Jr., 88, formerly of Country Club Boulevard, died Wednesday, July 2, 2008, in the Odd Fellows Home. His wife of 50 years, Mary (Noonan) Flynn, died in 2000. He leaves two daughters, Karen M. Larson and her fiancé David Gouin of Worcester and Mary Ellen Mayo and her husband Robert of Florida; a son, Fran Flynn of Worcester; a brother, John Flynn of Worcester; 4 granddaughters; and nieces & nephews. He was predeceased by an infant daughter, Barbara J. Flynn in 1950 and 3 sisters, Gertrude M. Casey, Catherine M. Gardiner, and Elizabeth R. Parent. Another brother, Marine CPL Walter M. Flynn, died of wounds received in action in 1950 in North Korea.
He was born in Worcester, son of Catherine (Wall) and Francis J. Flynn, Sr., and was a graduate of Commerce High School. Cpl. Flynn served in the United States Army during WWII. He was a member of the 30th Infantry Division and participated in their heroic defense of Mortain, France in Aug. 1944. This was during the Normandy Campaign and halted a major German counteroffensive. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Silver Star, a Combat Infantrymen’s Badge, and the Presidential Unit Citation. He later received the Purple Heart after being wounded by a mortar round in Aachen, Germany in Oct. 1944. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans.
After the war, he returned home and worked at the former Leland Gifford Co., and later for several years at the Worcester Post Office. He was appointed to the Worcester Fire Dept. in 1961 as a fire alarm operator and dispatcher. He retired in 1981. Franny had excelled as a candlepin bowler for many years and won the former Worcester Telegram city-wide tournament in 1948. In later times, he loved going out to play Bingo. A devoted father and family man, he will be greatly missed. He was a faithful Catholic and a long-time member of Our Lady of the Angels and St. Joan of Arc parishes.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 9, from Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln Street with an 11 a.m. Mass at St. Joan of Arc, 570 Lincoln Street. Burial will be at the end of July in St. John’s Cemetery. Calling hours will be held at Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln Street Tuesday, July 8, from 5-8 p.m. For directions and on-line condolences, please click on link below.