Obituary of Roger A. Flynn

Antiques expert, appraiser, artist Roger A. Flynn, 80, of Mendham died on Sunday, July 10 at Morristown Memorial Hospital. Born in Montclair, he lived in Orange and Flanders before moving to Mendham 37 years ago. He graduated from Orange High School, then studied art and design at Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts and at The Cooper Union, New York City. He was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship for two years in Egypt where he established the Art Department at the American University in Cairo. For more than 30 years Mr. Flynn taught fine and commercial arts in various schools. For the last 21 years of his career he headed the commercial arts department in the Union County Vocational-Technical Schools, Scotch Plains. Upon retirement in 1989 he concentrated on fine arts, antiques and interior design and established himself as an appraiser and consultant in these fields. African art was of particular interest to him. Mr. Flynn was generous in offering his services and expertise for charitable causes and in opening his unique Mendham home, a renovated carriage house, for house tours and other fund-raising events. He served on many boards, including the Friends of the Morris Museum; the Mt. Kemble Home, Morristown; the Mendham Borough Historic Preservation Commission and the Woman's Association of Morristown Memorial Hospital. He was also an accomplished painter and singer, and took part in performances at the Black River Playhouse, Chester. He was a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Mendham. His family and friends will remember Roger Flynn as creative, kind-hearted, witty, fun at a party and always outspoken. Predeceased by a brother, Walter H. Flynn, Jr., he is survived by his partner, Joseph Rhodes; his twin brother, Roland R. Flynn and wife, Annamarie, of Hackettstown; an older brother, E. Douglas Flynn and his wife, Jo, of Snyder, Texas, four nephews, two nieces and many friends. There will be a memorial visitation from 2 to 4 and from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 15 at the Bailey Funeral Home, 8 Hilltop Rd., Mendham. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, Aug.3 at 11:00 a.m., St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Mendham. Donations may be made to St. Mark's Church, 9 East Main St., Mendham, NJ 07945, or to The Mt. Kemble Home, 1 Mt. Kemble Ave., Morristown, NJ, 07960. www.Baileyfuneralhomes.com