Robert J. Flynn, 86 of Glen Mills, PA formerly of Middletown, DE and East Brunswick, NJ died on Sunday Jan 29, 2023 at his residence surrounded by his family rooting for the Eagles. Son of the late Robert W Flynn and Anna Flynn (née Farrell), Bob grew up in East Orange, NJ and graduated from Clifford J. Scott High School in 1955. Bob started his life long journey with jet airplanes when he enlisted in the Air Force. He was stationed at Chaumont Air Base in France where he maintained F-100 Super Sabers. After returning to the US, he continued his education at Teterboro School of Aeronautics, and he began working for Eastern Airlines as an aircraft mechanic.
It was in high school where Bob, a center on the football team, met the love of his life and biggest cheerleader, Marge Zuchowski. They married on July 30, 1960 amid the heavy rainfall of hurricane Brenda. For over 62 years, Bob and Marge weathered many more of life’s storms together, raised four children, and enjoyed traveling and golf. They retired to the Springmill community in Middletown, DE and with more time on his hands, Bob improved his golf game, humbly served as an AA sponsor, and joined the Delaware Radio Control Club in Lums Pond, DE where he continued his interest in flying. Bob was known and loved for his keen ability to repair the remote control planes after they crashed, and he befriended many fellow members this way.
He and Marge have 4 children: Brian Flynn (Ann), Judy Voge (Bob), Amy Flynn, and Karyn Gerard (Mike) who he enjoyed visiting, whether to babysit, help with cooking, install an air conditioner, assemble a grill or fix an antenna on a city townhouse. From Oreos for breakfast to homemade stromboli for all the roommates, Bob enjoyed spoiling his children and 10 grandchildren, Brianne McGowan (Sean), Tara Flynn (Catie), Sean Flynn, Sam Voge, Joey Voge, Erin Gerard, Craig Gerard, Claire Gerard, Cassie Speir, and Maisie Speir. But a bigger smile could not be found the day Bob heard about the healthy birth of his first great grandson, Parker McGowan.
Bob was famous for befriending complete strangers, assisting customers at the hardware store (although he was not an employee), long, winding story jokes, flying kites and playing chess at the beach, fixing ANYTHING, gifting random kitchenware or spices from the Asian market, stocking refrigerators with delicious homemade food while no one was home, surprise subscriptions to Food Network Magazine, care packages filled with Oreos, peanut butter pretzels, Cheez-its, ramen noodles, socks, and popcorn, and of course, gas money.
If you are among those fortunate enough to have experienced who Bob was, there is no denying that he thoroughly enjoyed making the world a much better place for all of us. But in the end, all he asked was for us to remember him as “a good guy”.
A visitation will be held at McCrery & Harra Funeral Homes, 3924 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE on Saturday, February 11 from 10-11am. A memorial service will follow at 11 am. Burial will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or to Willow Tree Hospice, made payable to the Amedisys Foundation, 3854 American Way, Baton Rouge, LA 70816
For online condolences visit: www.mccreryandharra.com
