It is with great sadness we learned of the death of one of our esteemed and highly regarded newsagents, Larry Flynn of Flynn’s Shop & Post Office, Main Street, Glanworth.
A native of Cooleregan, Mitchelstown, Larry passed to his eternal reward on October 26 peacefully at home in the presence of his loving family.
In the days since his untimely passing, family, customers, friends and those having had the pleasure of making his acquaintance, have been sharing stories and remembering Larry’s positive contribution to so many facets of life, in good times and not so good, joyous and sad occasions alike, especially in his adopted and much loved Glanworth.
For many, many years up to last May, I regularly met Larry, his beloved Bernadette, another family or staff member at 7.40/7.45am on Thursdays, when I delivered The Avondhu as they were gearing up for the day ahead.
The greeting was always warm and welcoming, touching on the topics of the day. Be it local, national or international news, Larry was well informed and had strong and sincerely held views on a great variety of subjects and was ever willing to share them, given the least encouragement. More often than not, he was on the ball, in my opinion.
One could not but be impressed by his warm and witty way with the customers, availing of the personal and efficient service offered up to 364 days of the year. Noticeable too was the rapport with the family and staff, as they went about their business in the busy shop and post office that plays a pivotal role in the local community.
Larry was immensely proud and supportive of his family and indeed of the many clubs and organisations that make Glanworth tick. Indeed Larry was one of the driving forces of the Tidy Towns effort and with a small group of volunteers, made a big impact on the local environment over recent years.
When struck down by a sudden and severe illness some years ago, Larry showed true grit and determination in getting back on his feet. With the support of Bernadette, family, friends and the medical professionals, slowly but surely he was back behind the counter for short spells initially, to the delight of all of us and thereafter, was back into the regular routine, serving his appreciated customers and friends with the customary efficiency and personal service.
Sadly, in recent times, illness was again to take hold of Larry and unfortunately, he was forced to succumb to it on this occasion, evoking widespread sadness at his untimely passing, leaving fond memories of the large and little things that made a difference to many lives in Larry’s life journey.
The wonderful legacy left behind by Larry will endure and, hopefully, sustain all mourning his passing into the future.
Large crowds paid their respects at his home on Monday and at the requiem Mass in Holy Cross Church, Glanworth which was followed by burial in St Dominic’s Cemetery on Tuesday. We hope he’s ‘happy as Larry’ in God’s Heavenly Kingdom, united with dearly departed family and friends, until we all meet again.
Larry will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of meeting and dealing with him in his all too short time on this earth. However, it is Bernadette (nee Broderick), children Martin, Linda, Caroline, DJ and Amy-May, mother-in-law Bridie, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends, especially Mike King and John Flynn, that will miss him most of all and to whom we extend sincere sympathy on their great loss.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilis.
(JB)
