Robert A. Flynn, 88
CUMBERLAND — Robert Anthony Flynn, of Cumberland, died peacefully at Roberts Health Center in Wickford, R.I., on Feb. 8, 2011.
He was born in Fall River, Mass., on June 23, 1922, the son of James H. and Jane E. Flynn. Bob enlisted in the
U.S. Navy at the beginning of World War II and served for the duration of the war on the USS Markab in the Pacific. He was recalled for the Korean conflict and again served for the duration as a Chief Petty Officer.
In 1946, he married the love of his life, Anita C. (Boissoneau) Flynn who predeceased him in 2006, after 60 years of marriage.
After World War II, he attended Bryant College and received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He started his career as a Sales Representative for Texaco, Inc., and eventually was promoted to be the Northern New England Manager for Texaco. At the time of his next promotion and transfer out of state, he decided to stay in Maine. He was named the Executive Director of MOHEDA (now the Maine Energy Marketers Assoc.) and then took a position as the Southern Maine Manager for Webber Oil Company, from which he retired.
During retirement, he and his wife Anita traveled extensively throughout the world. They both shared a passion for history and antique books, which resulted in his serving as President of the Maine Antiquarian Book Dealers Association. His passion for books and history also led him to establish the
King Phillip Publishing Company.
Under its name, he wrote and published several books on the history of the Fall River-Lizzie Borden murder case. Bob appeared on the History Channel, as he was considered a leading expert on the subject.
Since the passing of his beloved wife, Anita, he continued to pursue his passion for knowledge by enrolling in the Maine Senior College at the University of Southern Maine. He was a devoted, caring and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, and was particularly proud of the fact that all of his children and grandchildren graduated from college.
Bob was predeceased by his wife Anita; his sister, Dorothy Pelland, and brother, Charles Flynn. He is survived by his daughters, Ann Parkhurst and husband Steve of Cape Elizabeth, and Janet Rouslin and husband Mark of Wakefield, R.I., son, Robert V. Flynn and wife Julie of Richmond, Maine; grandchildren, Jessica Gagne, Amanda Rouslin, Jason Rouslin, Sherwin Parkhurst, Skyler Parkhurst, Seth Flynn and Ethan Flynn; sisters, Madeline Tozlowski of Massachusetts and Eileen Griggs of North Carolina, and brothers, James Flynn of Virginia, Leo Flynn of Florida, Earle Flynn of Rhode Island, Harold Flynn of South Carolina, Roy Flynn of South Carolina and Kenneth Flynn of Texas. He is also survived by four great- grandchildren, Gabriella, Sophie and Niko Gagne and Chloe Flynn.
A memorial Mass will be held at St. Pius X Church, 492 Ocean Ave., Portland, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12. There will be no visiting hours. Interment will be at the Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery in the spring.
Robert A. Flynn