Robert FLYNN

1936 - 2017

FLYNN, Robert J. Robert J. Flynn, 81, of Kennesaw, Georgia, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 3rd, surrounded by lots of love with his wife and children at his bedside. A great lover of golf, his family, two-pound lobsters, fine cigars, Georgia football and chatting with strangers, Bob was a character who will be greatly missed. Born on 1936 in Providence, Rhode Island to parents, William Alfonse and Evelyn Flynn, Bob grew up in North Andover, Massachusetts with five siblings. A basketball standout at Central Catholic High School, Bob went on to attend the College of the Holy Cross in Worchester, Massachusetts and graduated in 1958. Bob then entered the United States Marine Corps as a 2nd Lieutenant and served in Okinawa, Japan for two years. After leaving the service, Bob followed in his father's footsteps and started a career with MetLife Insurance that would last more than 35 years. He was transferred to Atlanta, Georgia in 1962, where he was able to cultivate his true passion, the game of golf. Known as "Yank" (due to his New England roots), Bob was a fixture at Pinetree Country Club for 50 years. Bob loved giving back to the game of golf and was a volunteer rules official and starter for the Georgia State Golf Association for over 40 years. In 2016, a scholarship fund was established in his honor. Bob leaves his great love of 44 years, his wife, Rita (Groff) as well as his son, Max Flynn and wife, Rion; daughter Gretcen O'Donnell and husband, John; grandchildren, Garrett, Elizabeth and Oliver Flynn, and Galyn, Tierney and Jack O'Donnell. Bob is survived by his sister, Barbara Kallaugher, brothers, Thomas (Elizabeth), William (Nona) and Terence (Elizabeth) Flynn, and dozens of nieces and nephews. Bob is predeceased by his parents and his sister, Elinor Reilly. Visitation will be held on Monday, July 10th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Funeral Home in Kennesaw. The funeral service will be on Tuesday, July 11th at 11:00 a.m. at The Catholic Church of the Transfiguration in Marietta, Georgia followed by a private burial at the Georgia National Cemetery. Family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the GSGA Foundation, c/o Robert J. Flynn Pinetree Country Club Endowment, 121 Village Parkway, Building 3, Marietta, GA 30067, or online at www.gsgafoundation.org [please note Robert J. Flynn in the In Memory section].