Robert John Flynn

Robert John Flynn of North Scituate, aka ‘Bob’, ‘Bobby’, ‘The Grizz’, ‘Friar Bob’ & ‘Flynny’ passed away unexpectedly of a sudden stroke in his home on August 22, 2026 at the age of 73.

Bob had a previous major stroke in December 2017, which he survived, but forced him to retire in 2018. He was a graduate of both East Providence High School (Class of ‘71) and the University of Rhode Island (Class of ‘75).

His life was not always an easy one. He was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 2, which was caused by a benign brain tumor. This kept him from being able to participate in the sports that he loved, being drafted into the service during the Vietnam War and driving a car until the late 90s, when they finally had the medical technology to remove the tumor safely. But even after the tumor’s removal, he still dealt with neurological side effects for the remainder of his life.

Despite those challenges, Bob worked diligently as a Computer Programmer/Systems Analyst for the State of Rhode Island for over 30 years and as a Paralegal at the RI Attorney General’s Office in the 80s under Rhode Island’s first female Attorney General, Arlene Violet, whom he respected and admired very much.

Bob was a Friar Fanatic, having attended Providence College Men’s Basketball games since he was a kid and being a season ticket holder for over 40 years. He was known by his friends, family and colleagues for his curmudgeonly ways and his dry, Irish wit & humor.

Staunchly a ‘Townie’, he will forever be remembered for the love of his hometown of East Providence, especially Riverside, being fiercely proud of his Irish heritage, listening to Tommy Makem and the Clancy Brothers, his love of John Wayne movies and classic western television shows like ‘The Rifleman’, political talk shows, his affinity for grizzly bears, his love of sports, especially University of Notre Dame Football, the Boston Celtics & of course, his beloved Friars.

He is survived by his wife, Kolleen Ann Flynn (Karkut) & his only daughter, Meredyth-Erynn ‘Merynn’ Flynn, both of North Scituate, his only remaining brother, Thomas Flynn of Riverside, his cousin, Carol Kriss of East Greenwich, his cousins, Douglas & Colleen Flynn of Wilmington, MA, his cousin, Timothy Flynn of Seabrook, NH, his cousin, David Flynn of Westbrook, ME, his cousin, Ruth Besse Tracy of Jacksonville, FL, his sister-in-law, Marijo Karkut and nephews, Rhett Blair & Anthony Hicks Jr., all of Terryville, CT, his sister-in-law, Heidi Poklemba, his brothers-in-law, Steve Poklemba Sr. & Drew Karkut & his niece, Kristen Richmond, all of Southbury, CT, his brother-in-law, Michael Karkut of Torrington, CT, his niece, Andrea Hicks of Oxford, CT, his nephew, Steve Poklemba Jr. of East Baldwin, ME, his niece, Star Rell of Delray Beach, FL, his nephew, Guy Blair of Indianapolis, IN and his niece, Lara Kohner of Seattle, WA.

A ‘Farewell to Friar Bob & Life Celebration’ will be held on Sunday, November 8 at 2 PM at Mapleville Farm, 544 Victory Highway in Mapleville, RI.In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to his family’s GoFundMe page to help pay for his service and burial costs, as well as helping his family financially navigate this new chapter of their lives without him.

The services are entrusted to the Skeffington Funeral Home & Cremation of Providence.  Please visit www.hillskeff.com for additional information and online condolences.