Earl D. Flynn     Earl D. Flynn, 82, died Feb. 10, 2010, after an extended illness. He was born Feb. 21, 1927, in Pittsfield, Mass., to Edith and William Flynn. He had four siblings: Ernest, Arnold, Jack and Doris, all deceased.

Surviving are his wife, Beverley A. Perkins Flynn, whom he married July 5, 1949, in Dalton Mass.; four children, Ernest H. Flynn, Berniece A. Myers, Pamela J. Baker and Debra L. Sams; 13 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren and two on the way; his loving nephew, William Flynn, among other nieces and nephews.

He served in the United States Navy for two years. After an honorable discharge, he worked at Berkshire Street Railway Company as a mechanic until he moved with his wife and children to Baltimore, where he began working for the then Martin Marietta Airport as an airplane engine inspector. In 1963 he began work for the United States Government as a civilian munitions inspection expert until his retirement in 1987.

During his years in Maryland, he volunteered as an emergency medical technician and captain of the underwater rescue squad for the Middle River Volunteer Rescue Company for 30 years of active duty. In January, 2009, he was honored at their Installation of Officers Ceremony where he received a Meritorious Service Award and a 45-year service pin. Earl and Beverley retired to Augusta, W. Va. In 1988 where they quickly became involved in various volunteer community organizations, as well as servants of God at Augusta Church of Christ.

He once again followed his passion for rescue service with Augusta Volunteer Rescue Squad for eight years and also performed volunteer work at Winchester Medical Center, where he was known to pray with families in need. At the end of his volunteer rescue career, he wrote a book called "Emergency!" chronicling his experiences.

He was known for his ready smile and was always quick with a joke or a story to make people laugh. He was an accomplished scuba diver and spent many a vacation in Hawaii with Beverley, where they would spend most days marveling at the underwater beauty, always snapping pictures to send family and friends.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, March 14, at 2 p.m. at Augusta Church of Christ, Route 50, Augusta. Refreshments will follow and is open to all who wish to attend.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Middle River Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 5021, Baltimore, MD 21220.