Megan Fernandes|Fosters Daily Democrat
DOVER — Richard Flynn,known for his 35-year tenure asthe longest-serving commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Safety, has died at age 93 and is being mourned in the city and across the state.
Flynn grew up in Dover and graduated Dover High Schoolin 1946. He served in the Navy during World War II and then began a career in law enforcement.Flynn served the city of Dover for 23 years at the police department, rising through the ranks froma patrolman in 1949 to his 13-year tenure asthe city police chief.
He was appointed New Hampshire's safety commissioner in 1972, servinguntil he retired in 2007. He continued his public service career on the state's Adult Parole Board from 2011 to 2016.
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Flynn died Sunday at Spring Village in Dover.
Flynn is remembered by those who knew him as alife-long public servant, making a long-lasting impactin the field of public and fire safety.
"Dick’s commitment to protecting the city of Dover during his 23-year career with the Dover Police Department and his decades of service as the commissioner of public safety were truly remarkable," current Dover Police Chief Bill Breault said in a prepared statement. "Dick was a true champion of public safety who dedicated his life to serving the community. He will be missed."
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Under Flynn's leadership, the Department of Safety grew from three divisions (State Police, Motor Vehicles and Safety Services) to eight, adding the Divisions of Emergency Communications; Fire Service; Administration; Fire Standards and Training and Emergency Medical Services; and Emergency Management.
"Today, the men and women of the Department of Safety, as do the citizens of this great state, benefit from the efforts, vision and dedicated work of Commissioner Flynn," the Department of Safety stated in an announcement about Flynn's passing."He always found time to listen to people and any problems presented, and was unparalleled in finding solutions."
Remembered for his efforts in public and fire safety
Flynn led the effort in making the state-of-the-art fire and EMS training facility in Concord a reality. It was later named the Richard M. Flynn Academy.
Tony Colarusso, aformer Dover police chief, said Flynn was an advocate for public safety anda huge supporter ofmajor upgrades to the fire service's facilities to train New Hampshire firefighters.
"He had such a huge influence in making that happen," Colarusso said. "When he talked, people listened. As I rose throughthe ranks and became police chief, I got to know him better. He was just always there to give advice or totalk to, and he was always very visible and active in the community."
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Rick Mason, former Portsmouth deputy fire chief, worked alongside Flynn as the director of New Hampshire fire Standards and Training for many years. He said it's the "only fire academy in the country that's named after a former cop."Mason said Flynn was an honest, tell-it-like-it-is kind of person, and he earned a lot of respect for that.
"Back in the late '80s, early '90s. Fire Training was looking for a place to land rather than it beinga standalone agency, so Emergency Management, Department of Education, Department of Safety all put in a bid," Mason said. "Commissioner Flynnsaid, 'If you come to safety ... within three or four years you'll have a fire academy. And he kept true to his word. He made it happen."
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Mason recalled Flynn shut down the fire academy for a week every year, so the Boy Scouts could have a fire training week. He said that Flynn received the Boy Scouts' Silver Beaver Award for his support of the program.
Perry Plummer is a former assistant commissioner at the state Department of Safety, former Dover fire chief and current interim Rochester Fire Chief, among other titles. He saidbeyondFlynn's work with the Fire Academy, he was instrumental in helping get a law passed thatrequiredcigarettessold inNew Hampshireare self-extinguishing. He said Flynn was dedicated to making New Hampshire safer.
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"His legacy will lastin the fire servicebecause of his support of the Fire Academy and fire service," Plummer said. "In state government,there was nobody more recognized than Commissioner Flynn. The respect that everybody has for him isimmense andcontinues. His legacy on public safety within the state of New Hampshire will last for decades."
According to his obituary, Flynnis survived by his wife of 70 years, Jean (Newell) Flynn, of Dover, his son Paul and his wife Alana,grandson Matthew Flynn and granddaughter Lauren Flynn and her husband Brendan LaFleur. Funeral services will be private.
