Patrick B. Flynn

ALBANY - Patrick B. Flynn died on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at St. Peter’s hospital with his family at his side. Pat was the son of Margaret (Walsh) and John C. Flynn, Sr.. Born in Pittsburgh in 1940 and raised in Buffalo, NY, Pat grew up loving the Boy Scouts, playing football, drawing cartoons and arranging flowers with his mother.

While at St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute in Buffalo, Pat was a member of the school’s varsity football team, which went a collective 32-0 in the years 1956-59, leading to the team’s enshrinement in the school’s Sports Hall of Fame. Upon his high school graduation, Pat’s family moved from Buffalo to Albany, where he attended Siena College, commuting from the family home in Slingerlands (by hitchhiking). He studied History and English and fell in love with learning. His inquisitive mind never disappointed him. Before graduating, he met and married the love of his life, Margaret Mahar. He became a dad and earned his degree six months later. 

Pat juggled his first teaching job at Hackett Middle School and his young family, while earning a master’s in Special Education at The College of Saint Rose. He taught in the Guilderland School District and later for BOCES. Becoming active in teachers’ union leadership and advocating for teachers and for students, Pat believed that every student deserves a skilled, caring and well-compensated teacher. In the next phase of his career, at the New York State United Teachers, he specialized in policy and researched every new State Education initiative from 1980 to 2001. Helping teachers through complicated certification issues gave him particular satisfaction. In retirement, Pat and Marge became board members of the Center for Learning Centered Education. He loved continuing his support for educators and students at its annual Constructivist Conference. Passionate about putting theory into action, he wrote and contributed to several published books about applying standard-based constructivism. 

Throughout his life Pat enjoyed spending time outdoors. He canoed and kayaked countless lakes and streams in the Adirondacks, and hiked or cross country skied backcountry trails. He passed on a love for adventure and risk-taking to everyone who spent time with him on these adventures. In more recent years, he would get on his bike and ride the trails at the Corning Preserve with his dog trailing along. 

Pat lived an outwardly conventional life of career and love of family, but he was a bit subversive and contrary. He loved a good debate and could always make a counter point to anything considered common knowledge. He was an artist at heart, and wrote poetry and vignettes prolifically. He was fascinated with photography and filmmaking. Virtually every moment of his and his family’s lives is captured on film or in a poem. 

He cared about everyone he knew and cherished his dearest friends. He valued routines and traditions as ways to reconnect and make new memories with those he cared about. Weekly handball playing built and sustained friendships over many years. The 50-year Oktoberfest camping trip, 60+-year Turkey Bowl on Thanksgiving, coloring Easter eggs and carving pumpkins with his children and grandchildren were all traditions he joyfully orchestrated and maintained. 

Pat was predeceased by his parents, brother Jack and wife, Marge. He leaves his three daughters, Colleen (Pawan) Thapalia, Kerry Flynn (Ellen Browne), Tara Flynn (Bradley Christmas), his sister Marjorie Flynn (Hugh) Lippincott, and his grandchildren: Tess Thapalia (Ethan Nozik), Kieran Thapalia (Rachel), Charlie Flynn, Ellie Flynn and Cora Flynn, and all of his many beloved nieces and nephews. His family is grateful that he is now reunited with the love of his life. 

Those wishing to celebrate Pat’s life may join the family on Friday, January 31, 2025, from 4 to 7 pm at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 900 Madison Ave., Albany. A funeral mass will be held at St. Vincent’s the following day, Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 10 am. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Siena College in memory of Patrick and Margaret Flynn to support a scholarship to be endowed in their names. To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.