Charles L. Flynn, Sr., the first Judge of Probate for the District of Orange, died on February 28, 2016.
He was the devoted husband of Winifred Carocari Flynn for more than 69 years. He is survived by his wife, his daughter Kathleen Dorothy Flynn of New Haven, and his son Charles L. Flynn Jr., of New York City.
Judge Flynn graduated from West Haven High School, attended Milford Prep, and entered Duke University.
After U. S. entry into World War II, he volunteered. He served primarily in England as Staff Sergeant in the Military Police of the Army Air Corps and the Strategic Bombing Survey.
After the war he completed the B. Phil. magna cum laude, at Providence College in 1947 and the J. D., Order of the Coif, from Georgetown University in 1949.
Judge Flynn was a publicly spirited man of extraordinary integrity and compassion. He declined an appointment with the federal government, preferring to provide high quality legal counsel to working families. With Bernard P. Kopkind, he founded Kopkind and Flynn, Attorneys at Law, PC, later joined by his brother W. Paul Flynn.
In the community, he served on the R.T.M. in West Haven, and in Orange on the Board of Education, as a Trustee and member of the Finance Committee of Holy Infant Church, and on numerous special projects: the committee to create senior housing, the committee to write a town code of ethics, the committee for the construction of a town pool and many, many more.
As Judge of Probate (1975-1991) he created a court in the public service, beginning legal clinics for senior citizens, developing a program of community education, and creating the Orange Foundation for the betterment of the residents of the town.
Judge Flynn was born in New Haven, August 21, 1921, the son of Veronica Drum Flynn and Patrick A. Flynn. He is survived by his brother W. Paul Flynn of Naples, Florida, his sister Jacqueline M. Flynn of Corpus Christi, Texas, and his sister in law Dorothy C. Gentile of North Haven.
He was predeceased by his brother Patrick Flynn and his sisters Anne F. Wedge and Veronica C. Flynn.
There will be no calling hours.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Infant Church, Racebrook Road, Orange at 10:00 on Thursday March 3, 2016.
Burial will be in Orange Center Cemetery with Military Honors.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Charles L. Flynn Sr., Scholarship Fund, The Orange Foundation, P.O. Box 729, Orange, Connecticut 06477.
Arrangements are in care of the West Haven Funeral Home at the Green.