Senate Resolution No. 2276

BY: Senator AKSHAR

MOURNING the death of James W. Flynn,
distinguished citizen and devoted member of his
community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and

WHEREAS, It is with profound sadness that this Legislative Body
mourn the loss of James W. Flynn, a beloved and deeply respected member
of his Chenango Bridge community, who died on Friday, December 13, 2019,
at the age of 77, after a life of devoted service to the State of New
York and the United States of America; and

WHEREAS, This heroic man was a veteran of the United States Navy
where he served both land and carrier based squadrons as an air crewman
during the cold war, often flying in early warning radar aircraft and
carrier based anti-submarine warfare missions; and

WHEREAS, A dedicated volunteer, James W. Flynn was a past chief,
former president, and life member of the Chenango Bridge Fire Company;
and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, James W. Flynn was instrumental in
transforming the fire service in Broome County by serving as Chairman on
the Advisory board, appointing the first fire coordinator and
transitioning the counties patchwork of emergency fire dispatching into
a centralized system that was the predecessor of the current 911 system;
and

WHEREAS, Volunteer firefighters exemplify the power of human
compassion and the strength of the American spirit through actions of
the most heroic magnitude; their sacrifices and their selfless
dedication merit tribute and recognition by all citizens of this great
country; and

WHEREAS, James W. Flynn distinguished himself in his 38-year career
as a civil engineer with the New York State Department of Transportation
(DOT); countless roads and bridges are a testament to a life's work
truly enjoyed; and

WHEREAS, Following retirement James W. Flynn worked for the New York
State Emergency Management Office, assisting organizations and
municipalities with post disaster damage assessment; he was especially
proud to have worked in New York assisting the city in the assessment of
damage in the months following 9/11; and

WHEREAS, A lifelong Yankee fan, avid golfer, fisherman, and boater,
James W. Flynn enjoyed fishing with his wife on Cayuga Lake and on the
shores and waterways of south Florida; and

WHEREAS, James W. Flynn's commitment to excellence, and his spirit
of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including
charitable and civic endeavors; and

WHEREAS, Predeceased by his sister Mary (Micki) Bokman, James W.
Flynn is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Barbara (Spak); his
two sons James (Trish), Robert (Jackie); a daughter, Catherine (Joseph);
six grandchildren Shannon, Riley, Jack, Thomas, Joey, and Bobby; his
sister, Sylvia; and many nieces and nephews; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, James W. Flynn leaves behind a legacy which will long endure
the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all he
served and befriended; he will be deeply missed and truly merits the
grateful tribute of this Legislative Body; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the life of James W. Flynn, distinguished citizen and devoted
member of his community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of James W. Flynn.