Obituary of Emmett Gordon Flynn

July 16, 1936 – Edmonton, Alberta

July 28, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Emmett Gordon Flynn, witty humourist, gifted raconteur, romantic, self-taught man of letters, Hibernophile, adoring husband, devoted family man, and a great friend to so many, passed away on Friday, July 28, 2023 at the age of 87 years.

Emmett was born to Emmett Sr. and Nora Flynn (nee, Whitney) in Edmonton, and raised in Colinton, AB, where his family had built the town church, owned the general store, and sent its men to fight in the Second World War. He attended Campion College in Saskatchewan, and upon realizing, (or more likely, being informed), that he was not going to be called to the priesthood, moved to Edmonton after graduating. It was there he met his true calling and love of his life, Marlene Adele Finlay who he married in 1963. The happy couple started out on their beautiful partnership, building lifelong friendships, many of which would follow them to Calgary, where they settled in 1963 and started a family in 1965, producing four sons: Patrick, Sean, Matthew and Michael.

Emmett spent his career with Amoco Petroleum, eventually becoming Supervisor of Aviation based in Calgary, but he would tell you that his fondest times with the company were his postings to such exotic locales as Fort Nelson, the Queen Charlotte Islands, Grande Prairie, and his favourite Saint John's, NFLD, where he and Marlene fell in love with the people, the music and the landscape. The job involved deep logistics, including dealing with fires and locating the whereabouts of the company's oilrig workers, ships’ crews, and bush pilots who were due back from work-leave. A job that would set him up for great success as a father of four boys.

It was, however, in building a beautiful home, family and life with Marlene where Emmett found his purpose and greatest joy. He excelled. Lansdowne Avenue was a home filled with laughter, love, and most of the neighbourhood kids, friends of his boys. CBC on the radio, the Roughriders on TV, the smell of coffee, crosswords in progress, and a half-dozen books on the go at any time. The scene of decades of St. Paddy's Day parties and family celebrations. Emmett brought the same warmth and pride-of-home to Mabel Lake where the family, and later he and Marlene, summered for so many years.

As a father, Emmett was always present at sporting events, school concerts, and family dinners without fail. He always pitched into help make the neighbourhood better for kids, including joining his fellow dads in the annual setting up and tearing down of the hockey boards at Elbow Park community centre. Most importantly, Emmett taught his boys compassion, kindness, and fatherhood by example and with the odd, colourfully worded lecture. As a doting grandfather, Emmett was often seen sharing ice cream and huge smiles with Caitlin, Emmett, Finlay, Cian, PJ, Shae and Max. 

Emmett is survived by his wife Marlene; his sons and their respective spouses and children, Pat (Barb, PJ), Sean (Junko, Finlay and Cian), Matt (Foofie, Cait and Emmett), and Mike (Joanie, Shae and Max); his sister Katherine; and nephew Randy Lines.

Funeral Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB) on Monday August 14, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Emmett’s family here.

In living memory of Emmett Flynn, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.