James A. Flynn James Flynn spent most of his childhood growing up on Ocean Avenue in Bay Shore. Years later he would tell his children what it was like to grow up in the community, which he loved. And he recounted the some of those memories in a film about Bay Shore produced to commemorate Bay Shore’s 300th anniversary.

James A. Flynn, a veteran, local restaurateur and honorary member of Southward Ho Country Club and a resident of Brightwaters, Fire Island and Amelia Island, Florida, died Thurs., May 20, 2010. He reposed at Chapey & Sons Funeral Home in West Islip. A funeral Mass was said at St. Patrick’s R.C. Church, Bay Shore and burial was in Long Island National Cemetery at Pinelawn.

“He would tell us about riding horses through the fields of Bay Shore where, years later, he played golf at the Southward Ho Country Club,” said his daughter Diane Flynn. “He loved Bay Shore and taught us how to ice skate, ride horses and ice boat.”

In the film, Mr. Flynn recalled the years when Bay Shore had a thriving business community, the largest on Long Island east of Freeport.

Mr. Flynn loved the Great South Bay and was a skilled surfcaster. His son James recalls how his father would, on occasion, awaken him on a school day and announce that he was taking him fishing. It is a memory of his father that has stayed with him, he said.

Theson of John A. and Katherine Flynn, he was born 1916 in Brooklyn. He moved to Bay Shore with his family in 1921. One of five brothers, Flynn was an outstanding athlete, and a star basketball player at Bay Shore High School, where he was nicknamed “Lightning,” because of his calm, methodical manner. He served as captain of the winning team.

At one time, the St. Patrick’s CYO Team consisted of all five Flynn brothers.

He was graduated from Bay Shore High School and was employed by the Republic Aviation in the winter, and as the Postmaster at Point O’ Woods in the summer, prior to his induction on Dec. 7, 1941 into the U.S. Army. Attached to the 778th Tank Battalion as Tank Driver of the 3rd Army, he served with General Patton in France, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium and Alsace- Lorraine. He was seriously wounded in the Battle of the Bulge. Taken prisoner by the Germans, he was left for two days in an open field without food or medical attention. He was rescued by the advancing American forces and evacuated to a base hospital in Luxembourg.

“My father was always calm, cool and collected,” said his daughter who added that his nature, and his faith and spirituality is what helped him survive the war and live through the loss of two wives.

Arriving back in the United States, Mr. Flynn received the Purple Heart and Two Bronze Stars.

“My brother and I never knew he received those honors,” said Diane. “He was a very humble man and never talked about it.”

At various times the Flynn family operated several popular Long Island Restaurants, among them the old Bay Shore Boatmen’s Association, (presently Captain Bil’s Restaurant in Bay Shore) the Oak Beach Inn and Maguires in Ocean Beach. In 1937, the family founded Flynn’s Restaurant located on the bayside in Ocean Bay Park, which remains a popular, thriving summer destination point for thousands of visitors each year.

For many years, Flynn divided his time between his residences in Brightwaters, Ocean Bay Park, Fire Island and Amelia Island, Florida. He was a Senior Honorary Member of Southward Ho Country Club in Bay Shore, an avid golfer and surf caster.

He was the husband of the late Lillian H. Flynn and the late Ethel D. Flynn. In addition to his daughter Diane P. Flynn of Manhattan and East Hampton, he is survived by his sons James T. Flynn of Islip and Fire Island, and Peter M. Flynn of Bellport. His daughter -in-law, Doreen Flynn, and two grandchildren, Ryan Flynn Fabrizio of Bay Shore and James Morgan Flynn of Manhattan also survive him.