GERALD IGNATIUS "GERRY" FLYNN

July 22, 1938 - April 13, 2023 Our family lost its leader - Gerald "Gerry" Ignatius Flynn - who died comfortably at home on the morning of April 13th with his wife of 54 years, Suzanne at his side after a hard fought battle with COPD. A father of three, grandfather of eight, businessman, sailor and entrepreneur, Gerry left a gigantic impact on the many lives that he touched. His mind was as sharp as ever, but his failing lungs had reduced him to bedrest over the past days and given his legendary work ethic and extraordinary restlessness, it was not how he chose to live. He spent his final weeks offering his poignant advice, drinking whiskey, and eating chocolate ice cream with a large group of visitors, friends, colleagues, his doctors, nurses, grandchildren and family. Always impatient, he gained consciousness the last day of his life to gripe about how long death was taking to come. Suzanne quipped, "even with dying, he's still impatient!"
Gerry was born July 22nd, 1938 in Milton, Massachusetts, the middle child of a large Irish catholic family. He was raised there alongside sister Martha and three brothers, Peter, John, and Charlie (deceased). Thanks to the love and devotion from his mother Mary and hard-working father Gerald, Gerry developed a love for family, friends, mischief, thrift, and competitiveness. His cherished childhood home became the adored site of his children's, nieces', and nephew's greatest summer vacations full of family, laughs, hard work, day trips, swimming, roughhousing, game playing and incomparable personal growth.
Gerry met his bride and life partner, Suzanne, at a restaurant in a small Vermont ski town where she was working as a waitress. After handing back the tips he playfully stole from her apron, the two dated and quickly fell in love. Madly in love, but ever pragmatic, Gerry asked Suzanne to marry him in December 1968, hoping to expedite the wedding to take advantage of the end of the tax year. After his dubious proposal was turned down, he successfully tried again the following year, and Suzanne and Gerry never looked back. Forever devoted to one another, the adoring couple enjoyed a wonderfully full and joyful life together.
The smartest person to fail out of two schools, Gerry was always a trailblazer. He loved old boats, trucks, beautiful cars, complex machinery, commerce, trade, and business. He had high standards for himself, his family and work family. His relentless drive and confidence that he could and would outwork any of his early career bosses sparked his desire to start his own business. He saved until he was ready to go out on his own and with just six trucks, a devoted wife and partner, not to mention three young kids – Andrew, Alison and Ryan - he founded TCI Leasing in 1978. He steadily grew the business with the help and support of many trusted and respected team members. He then founded TCI Transportation as a dedicated trucking company and lastly added TCI Logistics freight brokerage. Despite 6-day work weeks and long hours, he always loved the work and all the customers and mostly the TCI teammates. He was as friendly with drivers or mechanics as he was with bankers or executives because Gerry treated everyone as he wanted to be treated… except, of course, the lawyers and politicians. At the time of his death, he left a deep legacy on the trucking, truck leasing and freight industry and was considered a respected and revered industry leader.
But for all the accomplishments and success Gerry achieved, it was the legacy and pride surrounding his precious family, treasured friendships, and endeared relationships that he cherished most. Despite his unparalleled work ethic, he always found time to watch his daughter Alison's soccer or volleyball games, or his youngest son Ryan's water polo matches. He was proud to have his older son working at his side from his teen years onward. And when his youngest son Ryan joined TCI several years later, Gerry was happy to offer him their lowest starting salary and an opportunity. And yet, never a fan of nepotism, he waited to show his sons his full appreciation until he felt it was undeniably deserved. A charismatic curmudgeon, an insightful learner and voracious reader, he challenged the status quo and always made his own decisions. He enjoyed many ski trips, vacations, family dinners, trips to the lodge at Big Bear Lake and work events. He was never too busy to listen and reveled in challenging conversation, or playful moments. His bear hugs and wrestling matches on the living room rug with his young kids and grandchildren will be sorely missed.
Gerry valued family and friends above all, and he kept those close to him and those present in his life. He had a genuine fondness and deep appreciation of Alison's husband, Chuck Murphy, Ryan's wife Carla and Andrew's fiancé Dana. He adored his grandchildren, and certainly his happiest moments later in life revolved around them. And of course, his endearment and adoration of his soulmate and the love of his wife Suzanne was second to none. Gerry will never be forgotten, always be loved, and his life well celebrated.