44th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2000

EXPRESSING THE CONDOLENCE OF THE SENATE UPON THE PASSING OF

JACK FLYNN.

WHEREAS, Jack Flynn passed away on January 8, 2000; and

WHEREAS, he was the longtime priest at St. Joseph's Orthodox mission in Santa Fe and editor of a newsletter about state government; and

WHEREAS, he moved to New Mexico at the age of six, earned a master's degree in history and journalism from New Mexico highlands university in 1958, worked as a publications director for New Mexico highlands university and taught history and political science there before serving as dean at northern New Mexico community college; and

WHEREAS, "He knew the history of New Mexico better than anyone I know in terms of personalities," his close friend Susan Eagan said. "He was incredibly politically astute."; and

WHEREAS, he covered his first legislative session in 1959 as a stringer for the Las Vegas Optic and enjoyed analyzing political issues in his writing, and in 1980, he purchased a publication, which he renamed Capitol Government Reports; and

WHEREAS, he remained editor and owner of the weekly newsletter until his death and wrote columns for various publications and recently wrote a book, Profiles in Candor, which profiled nine government officials in New Mexico history; and

WHEREAS, he served as an assistant to former Governor Jack Campbell; and

WHEREAS, he attended seminary at Santa Barbara, California before completing his work at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Roman Catholic seminary in Santa Fe and, although he was not ordained as a Roman Catholic priest, he founded St. Joseph's Orthodox mission eighteen years ago; and

WHEREAS, his daughter said that being an orthodox priest was a way for him to fulfill his desire to help people. "He was a real priest in helping people through life's passages," she said. "He enjoyed helping people seek their spiritual paths."; and

WHEREAS, another daughter, Angelica Flynn del Rio, said, "He didn't focus on his health problems; he focused on everyone else's issues; he was very much the public servant."; and

WHEREAS, Jack is survived by his wife Kathryn; his mother-in-law Mary Louise Akers; his children, Angelica Flynn Del Rio, her two children, Antonio Plemons and Amanda Hegland, and her husband James; Bernard Flynn and his daughter Anita Flynn; Blue Freedom, his wife Bernadette and their children Aaron, Azul and Jazzmine Freedom; Donovan Flynn, his wife Chris and their son Austin Flynn; stepchildren, Robyn Covelli-Hunt, her husband Robert and daughter Delaney, Shawna Rohrbach and her husband Steve and Bob Hunt, his wife Loretta and son Nathaniel; his brothers, Brian, and his wife Mary Ann, and Ray, and his wife Darlene; sisters, Peg Rumfield and Julie Bennett and her husband Roger. He is also survived by his two great-grandchildren Mickaela and A.J. Hegland; and numerous nephews, nieces; and close individuals who were like brothers, sisters, children and grandchildren to him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Margaret and his sister, Pat;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that condolences be extended to the friends and family of the Reverend Jack Flynn, a loving and devoted New Mexican; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the friends and family of the late Jack Flynn.