Paul Flynn of Flynn’s Garden Inn (Photo: Queens Post)
Feb. 2, 2021, By Michael Dorgan
Paul Flynn, a Sunnyside resident and owner of Flynn’s Garden Inn, died unexpectedly Sunday. He was 66.
Flynn was a popular and well-liked bar owner who operated his traditional Irish-American pub, located at 46-08 Skillman Ave., since 2010. Prior to that, he owned Flynn’s Inn on Queens Boulevard, which was located between 43rd and 44th Street.
His death was formally announced by his family on the pub’s Facebook page Monday.
“It is with very heavy hearts that we join you all… to mourn the loss of our dad and brother, the great Paul Flynn,” the post reads.
“We are overwhelmed with the outpouring of love for him and the knowledge that he was important to the lives of so many people.”
Later on Monday, the family revealed that Flynn suffered a pulmonary embolism due to a blood clot that started in his leg.
“Paul woke up and began to get ready for work but never made it out of the house. It appeared that after showering, he laid down, and passed away peacefully in his bed,” the post reads.
Flynn’s death came as a shock to his family and patrons of the bar, many of whom shared close relationships with him and held him in high regard.
“We are gutted, it’s a big, big blow,” said Mike Novak, a Sunnyside resident and a regular at Flynn’s Garden Inn.
“He would give you the shirt off his back and never had a cross word to say, a real gentleman. We are devastated and we are all going to miss him.”
Flynn, who was of Irish ancestry but hailed from England, created a bar that was warm and friendly where everyone was welcome and treated equally, Novak said.
“It didn’t matter who you were or what you did, it was who you were as a person that mattered,” he said.
Novak noted that Flynn was a fervent Everton soccer fan and that the bar has traditionally been a big hangout for sports fans and retired Sunnysiders. The bar has also hosted Irish step dancing performances, local troupes and kids’ parties, Novak said.
In 2013 the bar was the setting for a short movie called “The Black Knights of Skillman.” The film was directed by Sunnyside resident Tommy Turner and Flynn appeared behind the bar.
The pub is also known for its rear garden that Flynn took great care of, Novak said. He said that Flynn often replenished the area with fresh flowers and regulars would often lend him a hand.
Georgia Benardos, another customer of the bar, said that patrons treated the place as if it were an extension of their own homes, such was their fondness for Flynn.
“He created something special—a welcoming space where an entire community of disparate folks could grow and thrive and build close friendships,” Benardos said.
“Paul touched so many with his wit, charm and easy-going kindness… his sudden loss is one that is felt deeply by so many in Sunnyside.”
Flynn is survived by his brother, Kevin, and two children, Stephanie and Jack.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
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16 Comments
May you Rest In Peace Paul. You will be missed. We had some good times. ???
So sad to hear the news. Paul and Flynn’s was our home away from home when we arrived in the neighborhood from Texas, a comfortable place where nobody stayed a stranger for long and we enjoyed so many good times! Rest In Peace, Paul Flynn. Rest In Peace.
Please update the story with an funeral or memorial date and time as is many on social media are wondering.
Cheers!
So saddened to here of your lost grow up with Paul & Kevin in Southport. Visited Paul when he had the bar in Queens.Really looked after us in when was a remarkable holiday .As like me was a big Evertonion .My thoughts are with Kevin & All his family rip Paul coyb??? xxx
A pillar of our neighborhood, big loss for Sunnyside. RIP
My condolences may Flynn rest in peace amen
Damn, that is sad. Paul was such a nice guy.
I will truly miss you Paul this is such a shock please tell me when the funeral is
Rest in PEACE
My family and I are very sad
This is a very bad loss to the neighborhood
He will be missed
Things will not be the same
He was a neighborhood fixture
Condolences and prayers for the family.
Very sad news. He seemed like a good guy. RIP. Wishing his family my sympathy.
Words escape me. 1000% the Real OG. May Paul rest in peace.
R. I . P. Paul. Many blessings to dear Jack and Stephanie.
He was the most kind and helpful person you could ever meet in Sunnyside. He helped so many people in so many ways and never spoke of the generous deeds he done. humble in his own way our Paul was. Im sure he is already turning water into wine & has his own flock of disciples in the heavens above. Will miss you my dear friend and your stories will be told for years to come.
May he Rest In Peace.