Obituary of MAJOR GENERAL Lawrence P. Flynn

MAJOR GENERAL LAWRENCE PIERCE FLYNN (RET.), 86, of Clifton Park, New York, passed away peacefully on November 12, 2017.  Larry Flynn is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Elizabeth Flynn, and their four daughters, Sue Glascott of Scarborough, New York, Patricia Granados of Queens Creek, Arizona, Barbara Peck of Glenville, New York and Mary Flynn of Larchmont, New York.  He is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren, as well as his beloved siblings Walter Flynn and Catherine Loveridge.

Larry was born on February 9, 1931 in Bronx, New York, and Larry’s life was defined by his deep love of family, his profound faith in God, and his unwavering service to his country.  In 1947, at the age of 16, Larry joined the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves.  Larry was called to active duty as a USMC Corporal in 1950, then commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on May 29, 1951.  He served combat duty in Korea as a rifle platoon leader, B Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines from 1950 to 1952.  A devout Catholic, Larry would regularly lead members of his company in Sunday prayer when a chaplain was unavailable in the combat zone.

On November 21, 1953, Larry married the former Elizabeth Matus and spent his life devoted to her.  Together, Larry and Betty raised four daughters in Niskayuna, in homes filled with love and laughter.  Proud of his Irish heritage, Larry was honored to march annually in New York’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade with the legendary 69th Infantry Regiment of New York, the Fighting Sixty-Ninth. 

Larry pursued a life of service to his country, rising to the rank of Colonel in the USMC Reserves, until he completed his service with the 25th Marines in 1972.  Thereafter, Larry was appointed Colonel in the NY Army National Guard (NYARNG), eventually rising to the rank of Major General.  In 1986 he was appointed by Governor Mario Cuomo as Adjutant General and Commander of the NYARNG, where he served until his retirement in June 1992.  Larry’s decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters. 

Larry had a deep and abiding faith in God and an enduring love of the Catholic Church.  Viewing will be at Glenville Funeral Home, 9 Glenridge Road, Scotia-Glenville, NY on Thursday, November 16, 2017 from 5pm to 8pm.  A funeral mass will be held at St. Peter’s Church, 895 Hudson Avenue, Stillwater, NY on Friday, November 17, 2017 at 11am.  Burial will follow the mass at 1pm at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Road, Schuylerville, NY.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in honor of Major General Lawrence P. Flynn to either The Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 (online at www.support.woundedwarriorproject.org), or to your local Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign (online at www.toysfortots.org).