Obituary of Martin Charles Flynn

Martin Charles Flynn, born July 15, 1935, passed away September 8, 2023, at home in Orlando, FL, surrounded by family.

Martin was born in Louisville, KY, the 6th of 8 children of Arthur and Josephine Flynn. He graduated from Saint Xavier High School in Louisville, KY, St Louis University in St Louis, Missouri, and attended Jesuit Seminary before deciding he was destined for a family.

In 1960, Martin met the love of his life, Yvonne Cummins Flynn, while he was stationed at Ft. Knox with the US Army, where they embarked on their 63-year romance. Martin was transferred to Red Stone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL. Marty and Yvonne were married at Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Church on October 7, 1961 and Yvonne then joined Marty in Huntsville. Upon his discharge, Martin (Marty) was hired by IBM and they began growing their family of four children, Martin Jr., Colleen, David, and Patrick.

During their 6 years in Huntsville, AL, Marty worked with IBM helping NASA send astronauts to the moon. After Huntsville, they spent 3 years in Woodstock, NY. Marty was always a big fan of the outdoors and enjoyed the community and activities, including snow skiing, until the worst winter in recorded history inspired a move to sunny Tallahassee, FL. Yvonne and Marty engaged strongly in the community and dedicated their lives to nurturing their children and providing them with unlimited opportunities to grow both physically and mentally. Marty and Yvonne were huge fans of playing tennis, and Marty was able to switch from snow to water skiing. A lifelong fan of boating, Marty had endless stories of fishing, scuba diving, skiing, tubing, scalloping, and generally just messing about on boats. One of the nicest people you could ever meet, the only time he resembled the devil was when driving the boat with one of his kids in the inner tube, trying to bounce them across a wave and into the water. Marty and Yvonne dedicated untold time and resources to their children’s development through sports such as swimming and soccer. Among other support, Marty served as President of the swim club and together they started a high school level soccer league through Florida Youth Sports that quickly became the high school soccer programs that exist today. Their children’s achievements include a National Champ in Judo and numerous awards in swimming and soccer. Their educational support led to their children’s careers in business, nursing administration, pharmacy medicine, natural disaster recovery coordination, army service, and top-level computer engineering.

Marty worked a full career with IBM and received many awards for achievements, including making the 100% Club every year he was eligible. One particularly successful year, his team met 100% quota mid- year and celebrated by making an entrance into a sales meeting in space suits (Martin Marietta was a customer), introduced by the song “Ghostbusters”, except the lyrics were dubbed over with “Quota Busters!” He loved his work and he and his teams always had a lot of fun. Marty volunteered his time generously with his church, hospice, and served as a poll worker for 30 years,

When Marty was nearing eligibility for retirement with IBM, Yvonne was diagnosed with breast cancer and Marty elected to retire so they could spend more time together. Yvonne became one of the longest survivors of metastatic breast cancer, and Marty ultimately was retired longer than he worked. At his retirement party, Marty was given a thick binder filled with handwritten letters from co-workers, supervisors, friends, and customers expressing their gratitude for all the help he had given them, many saying he was like a father to them, one even saying he considered him his father. He was the kind of person you wanted to spend time with. Marty and Yvonne used their retirement years to enjoy their

fabulous love affair, living a rich and varied life with family and friends, enjoying all the great outdoors that Florida and boating life had to offer.

Marty is survived by his brother Paul Flynn, his sister Gerry Boehnlein, daughter Colleen Rambo, sons Martin Jr., David, and Patrick, daughters-in-law Tracey, Marianne, and Gail, grandchildren Alexandria, Martin III, Ian, John III, Jacquelyn, Tiffany, Ashley, Kylie, Kelli, (grandchild Flannan predeceased Marty), great grandchildren Averie, Jon, John IV, Avigail, Michelle, Ezmiranda, Ande, Isla, Sienna, Roman, Greyson, and Luna, and his Miccosukee Indian Guides camping family. Marty is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and friends who became like family- all of whom he loved, and loved him immensely.

A Funeral Service will be celebrated 11:00 AM, Thursday, October 12th, 2023 at St John the Evangelist Catholic Church - Viera, FL. Marty and Yvonne will be laid to rest together the same day at 1:00 PM in Cape Canaveral National Cemetery. Arrangements handled by Beckman-Williamson Funeral Home in Rockledge, FL.

Memorial contributions may be made in their memory to:

The American Cancer Society at (800) 227-2345, or

VITAS Healthcare Hospice Services at: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E232399&id=1

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