Dennis Flynn

Lieutenant Dennis R . Flynn , life long resident of Wakefield, passed away suddenly at home June 24 at the age of 62. Dennis was the son of the late Gloria F. (Dunnigan) Zappala of Wakefield, who passed away recently and the late Dennis Flynn of Lynn, as well as step son of the late Salvatore Zappala of Wakefield.

Dennis was a graduate of Wakefield High School Class of 1966. After graduating, he enlisted into the United States Marine Corps, where he was stationed in Hawaii. Dennis was a Sergeant in the Military Police. He served our country for four years with an Honorable Discharge. When Dennis returned home he decided to honor his brother, the late John J. Flynn who passed away in 1966 due to a motorcycle accident at the age of 18. He purchased a dump truck to open his new business "Flynn Bros".

Having the experience of Law while in the military, he now was ready for a career change, so in 1975 he joined the Wakefield Police Dept. During his first few months on the force as a Patrolman, Dennis was instrumental in leading the department towards a Union. What was so impressionable was that this young man had only been on the force for such a short time when a local business "Morrison Funeral Home" had an intruder that murdered Mrs. Morrison. Dennis was the officer who captured this killer in our small town to make it a safe place again. Dennis left the WPD and in 1976 joined the Lynn Police; there in the heart of a busy city, he would now prove to be the leader everyone had come to know. He worked his way up the ranks and in 1983 received the "Medal of Honor". During the next 34 years on the force, many of his fellow officers as well others throughout surrounding communities soon developed relationships that were far more than just a "guy I know". Dennis would give anyone he came in contact with the feeling that if you met him once, you were a friend for life! He was known as the one to go to if you needed anything, he was there and if he couldn't help you, he had someone he knew that he called to help you. Dennis had compassion for reaching out to try and make a difference in the lives of the people he met. Dennis had a love for fun as well, he played slow pitch softball and many knew that after the game, it was back to his house in Wakefield for a BBQ and "hey, bring the family as well for a swim". Those were the days he so enjoyed, having friends and family at the house for a party. If you were lucky enough to know Dennis then you loved him instantly. Dennis loved his family and was so very proud of his children and his grandchildren. He was also a life long member of the Crystal Community Club.

In the past couple of days since the news of his untimely death, many have called and come by to reach out to us and share a personal story of how Dennis either helped them in their life or someone in their family. Dennis's fellow officers of the Lynn Police Dept. have not just lost a fellow officer but a friend. They have expressed the magnitude of the emptiness that has traveled throughout the department.

Dennis leaves behind his beloved wife and best friend of 40 years, Cheryl A. (DeCecca) Flynn of Wakefield, his daughter Sheryl E. Flynn Oliveira and her husband Fernando J. of Tewksbury, his son John J. Flynn of Wakefield, his pride and joy, four grandchildren Jacob, Nicholas, Sean and Isabella Oliveira all of Tewksbury. He also leaves behind four sisters Mary F. (Zappala) Paiva of Wakefield, Susan M. Zappala of Rowley, Marianne E. Zappala of Methuen, Lisa M. Zappala of Derry, NH and three brothers, Paul Zappala of NY, Robert Zappala of Billerica and Thomas J. Zappala of Stoneham. Uncle Dennis "Russell" Dunnigan of Brookline and many nieces, nephews and cousins as well as thousands of friends he has touched. Dennis and Cheryl lost their first born, Joseph Andrew after birth, on April 14, 1973. He was predeceased by his two brothers, John Zappala and William Zappala.

Read Dennis Flynn's Obituary and Guestbook on www.mcdonaldfs.com.

Visitation

McDonald Funeral Home
19 Yale Ave.
Wakefield , MA US 01880
Tuesday, June 29, 2010, 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Service

St. Florence Church
47 Butler Ave.
Wakefield , MA US 01880
Wednesday, June 30, 2010, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Cemetery

Forest Glade Cemetery
Lowell Street
Wakefield , MA US 01880
Friday, July 2, 2010, 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM