Richard “Rick” Flynn

Richard Flynn (or Rick to family and friends), 62, passed away peacefully on May 22, 2019 in Austin, TX surrounded by his family. Raised in Peabody Massachusetts, he was the second oldest of four children born to M. Eleanor (Cahill) and Edward J. Flynn.

Rick met his wife of 35 years, Paula, at Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts, and was married there in the college chapel in 1983. They lived most of their lives in Londonderry, NH, raising two beloved children, Julie (Flynn) Waltrip, and Stephen, now both living in Austin, TX. After retiring in 2012 as an accountant, Rick enjoyed volunteering at Community Caregivers of Greater Derry and the NH Food Bank and singing in the Choir at St Mark’s Church in Londonderry.

As a young man, Rick was part of a small group from St Ann’s Church in Peabody, MA that started Wellspring House in 1981, a shelter for homeless families. Wellspring House, located in Gloucester, MA has since helped thousands of homeless and disadvantaged families find new homes and move onto better lives.

Devoted to family, Rick leaves behind his beloved wife Paula, son Stephen, daughter Julie and son-in-law Jim Waltrip, granddaughter-to-be Wendy, his brothers Ed, Jr. and sister-in-law Christine, and Fred, his sister Eleanor Marie and brother-in-law Joseph Salvucci, many, much-loved nieces and nephews, his Sullivan and Cahill cousins, and many good friends. A person of quiet strength and deep faith, he leaves behind a legacy of devotion to family, and always believing the best of others.

Services will be held in late summer when the family returns to Massachusetts. In the interim, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Wellspring House, Inc., 302 Essex Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930.