Captain Patrick Patrick Flynn, retired from the Baltimore City Fire Department, died on February 12, 2018 at his home in Wallingford, PA after along illness.
Captain Flynn grew up in Baltimore as the son of Nellie (Russell) and Patrick Joseph Flynn, whose footsteps he followed into the Fire Department. He graduated from Mount St. Joseph High School in 1948 and enlisted in the US Army before entering the Fire Department, where he served for 43 years. He rose to the rank of Captain and proudly served at Engines 45 in Mount Washington, 10 in Curtis Bay and 54 on Belair Road.
Captain Flynn became the first Public Information Officer of the Baltimore City Fire Department, a position he held until retiring to Ocean City, MD in 1993. He was not the most naturally extroverted man, but his candor and his authenticity as a true veteran firefighter made him a natural success as PIO, and he became a fixture on local news and information programs. He always cherished the relationships he forged with members of the local media, which were based on mutual respect for their respective roles in serving the citizens of Baltimore. He had great admiration for Mayor (and then Governor) William Donald Schaefer, with whom he worked closely on many issues.
As an outgrowth of his duties as PIO, Captain Flynn served as a member of the Baltimore Film Office from its inception in 1979, coordinating city services for countless film and TV projects that were filmed in Baltimore. In 1990 he was cast by Barry Levinson in a featured role as the fire chief in Avalon, garnering Captain Flynn membership in the Screen Actors Guild (and decades of residual checks). He may be the only Baltimore City Firefighter with his own IMDB.com page.
Captain Flynn is survived by his wife of 61 years, Regina (Klewicki). Their first date was to a baseball game, appropriately bringing together the two great loves of his life, Regina and the Orioles. His long career as an Oriole fan included attending such memorable events as the Orioles’ first World Series in 1966, the first-ever American League championship series game in 1969, the last Oriole game at Memorial Stadium in 1991 (and the first Ravens game there in 1996), and Cal Ripken’s record-tying 2130th consecutive game in 1995. When the orange and black ever bring home another championship, he will be there in spirit.
Commitment to family was the only thing paramount to serving the city for Captain Flynn. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his siblings, Joseph, John, Elizabeth (Crivello), Mary (Esserwein), Olivia, and Sabina (Carmen). He is also survived by his brother Richard, his daughter Marynell Benson of Wayne, PA, his son Dr. Patrick Flynn of New York City, his grandsons Jeffrey Delong, Alexander Flynn and Daniel Flynn, his son-in-law John Benson and John’s children Lucy and Sam, his daughter-in-law Dr. Shari Platt, and a multitude of loving nieces and nephews. He will leave an indelible mark on all of them.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. John Chrysostom Catholic Church in Wallingford, PA. at 10:30 on Thursday, February 22, following a period of viewing starting at 9 AM. Internment will take place at Gates of Heaven Cemetery in Dagsboro, DE at 10:30 AM on Friday, February 23.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to The Baltimore City Fire Foundation, Inc., Attn. Commissioner Charles L. Bollack, 401 E. Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD, 21202. The Foundation provides immediate support to family members of Baltimore firefighters and paramedics who suffer serious injury or death while serving as active members of the Department. Please send your donation “in memory of Captain Patrick Flynn” and provide your name and contact information. Thank you.