Bernard F. Flynn Jr.

Flynn, Bernard F.
January 21, 1935 - October 10, 2010
Bernard F. Flynn, Jr. died on October 10, 2010, in Sacramento, CA of heart failure.
Barney, as he was known by friends and family, was the third son in the family of twelve born to Bernard Flynn, Sr. and Miriam Flynn of Los Angeles. He attended Portsmouth Priory in Portsmouth, Rhode Island and graduated from Harvard University. He also completed graduate work at Chico State and University of California, San Diego. Early in life he developed a love of sailing and the special joy he felt of being on the water continued throughout his life. He joined the rowing team while in Cambridge, and representing Harvard, he became single sculls champion in the American Rowing Association Regatta.
Barney lived in Chico for over thirty years and was much involved in managing the family ranch properties known as Shasta View Farms. During this time he became a self taught computer programmer and developed an interest in more natural ways of preventing river erosion. He created a computer model to achieve this goal and this work became the starting point for Flynn and his partner, John Carlon, to launch the non-profit River Partners, which conducts state and federal riparian reforestation projects. Barney's contribution to river conservation led to his award as a finalist for the Purpose Prize in a national competition that recognized his distinguished contributions as an elder 'social entrepreneur' whose work advanced, not personal wealth but the social good.
Since retiring from River Partners, Barney has spent the past decade living in Sacramento with his partner, Nancy Plesha. Most of his retirement years he spent doing what he liked best, competitive sailing in the San Francisco Bay. His great joy was being at the wheel of his boat the Triton, with his volunteer crew and enjoying friends from Benecia.
Survivors include his partner, Nancy Plesha of Sacramento, his daughter, Elena Flynn of Collingswood, New Jersey, his son, Bernard Flynn, III (Donna) of Orland and his grandchildren, Arthur and Aileen Flynn. He is also survived by his siblings, Patrick Flynn, Rosalie Murphy, Rita Flynn, Michael Flynn, John Flynn, Dr. Thomas Flynn, Cecilia Flynn, and Stephen Flynn; sister-in-law Jane (Vincent) Flynn, and brother-in-law Andre (Mary) Eydt. Additionally, he has more than 30 nieces and nephews across the Unites States that mourn his passing.
A Memorial is planned in Chico on Saturday, October 30th at 2:00 PM at Newton-Bracewell Chico Funeral Home, 680 Camelia Way, Chico, CA 95926. More information of his varied and full life can be seen on the website of Newton-Bracewell Chico Funeral Home
(www.nbcfh.com).