John “Jack” Alfred Flynn

John “Jack Flynn was born on July 16, 1928 at 208 Sunbury Street, over Price’s Music Store, in a 3rd floor apartment, accounting for his fear of heights. The proud parents were Mary Agusta (Hinkel) Flynn and John J. Flynn, who was a local Justice of the Peace from 1902 to 1957. To set the record straight, Jack was not given his mother’s middle name, his is Alfred, after Alfred E. Smith, who ran for President in 1928 and unfortunately lost.

Before marriage, his mother Mary was a receptionist and assistant in the dental office of Doctors Pickett and Hertz at 3 E. Sunbury Street. In 1940, a devastating fire destroyed the section of Sunbury Street between 314 and 332. The Flynn’s purchased McDonalds home at 314 Sunbury Street and made this house their forever home. Jack graduated (by the skin of his teeth) from Minersville High School in 1946. From 1951 to 1953, Jack served 2 years in the United States Army. He realized thankfully that his military career was over when not one officer or recruiter approached him to reenlist. In 1954, Jack returned to his former position as a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service. On July 6, 1974, Jack married the love of his life, Loretta M. Doyle. Jack retired from the Postal Service in 1985 and he and Loretta enjoyed many golf outings, trips and social gatherings together.

Jack passed away on September 12, 2011 at the age of 83. He spent his whole life in the town of Minersville and was very active in preserving the history of the town for future generations. Not only was he a founding member of the Minersville Area Historical Society, he documented numerous local landmarks through his artwork.