Father Arthur C. Flynn, Senior Priest of the Archdiocese of Boston passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 7, 2020, at age 92.
Father Flynn was born on December 27, 1927, in Peabody, the son of the late Arthur C. Flynn and Florence K. (Brown) Flynn. He was the step-son of the late M. Mary Flynn. Father Flynn was the loving cousin of Nancy L. Carey, Catherine Carey and her husband Gary Townsend, Kenneth Wilson and his wife Sharon and the late Esther J. Reddy and her late husband Thomas, the late Rosemary Shanahan and her late husband William, the late Carolyn Douville and her late husband Edward, the late Frances Glenn and her late husband Patrick, the late Muriel Flynn and her late husband Robert, the late Attorney Jean Davis and her surviving husband, Dr. David Davis.
Father Flynn graduated from St. John’s Seminary in 1951. His first assignment was at St. Mary’s in Quincy from 1952 – 1955. He was then assigned to St. Michael’s in Bedford from 1955 – 1958. His next assignment was at St. Charles in Woburn from 1958 – 1969. Following St. Charles, Father Flynn was assigned to St. Mary of the Annunciation in Melrose from 1969 – 1972. He went on sabbatical from 1972 – 1974 at Boston College where he earned his Master’s Degree in Religious Education. Father Flynn’s final permanent assignment was to St. Agnes in Reading where he was from 1974 until his retirement in 2007. He served as Pastor of the parish from 1978 until his retirement. Father Flynn has made countless colleagues, confidants, and friends in his years as a Priest. During his retirement, he celebrated Sunday Masses at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Lynnfield from 2007 – 2015.
Father Flynn will lie in State on Monday, October 12th from 4 pm-7:30 pm in St. Agnes Church, 186 Woburn St. READING with a Vigil Mass to be held at 7:30 pm. His Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, October 13th at 11 am in St. Agnes Church. Capacity limitations and COVID-19 guidelines will be followed. Per MA regulations, face coverings must be worn while at the Church and not more than 40% capacity will be allowed in at one time. For those who would prefer to watch the Vigil Mass and/or Funeral Mass from home, streaming will be available via www.readingcatholic.org. Interment will be private.
Please honor Father Flynn by making donations in his memory to St. Agnes Church, 186 Woburn St. Reading, MA 01867.
