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Jack Flynn, 1941-2011
LEST WE
FORGET |
01-Mar-11:
Sad news reaches us that Irish Referee Jack Flynn,
after suffering a major stroke a few days ago, passed away
last night in hospital in Dublin. Contributions welcomed ...
flynn@squashsite.co.uk
Our family
appreciates the kind words that have been said about Jack on
this site since his passing.
It is very comforting to know that he was highly regarded by
players and officials of squash throughout the world.
God bless and thank you.
Breda, Louise, Alan, Keith and Sharon |
 |
The Greek Squash Federation
expresses the deepest regrets and heartedly condolences for
the loss of Jack, a great sportsman and a very just and fair
squash referee.
He will be always remembered by all of us.
Mohamed Samanudi Milton Menexelis,
George Barletis, Marcos Passaliades |
I am deeply
saddened to hear of Jack’s passing.
He was a friendly guy who always had a smile on his face and
a cheery word to hand.
He was a top class referee. My thoughts are with his family.
Linda Davie |
Really
upsetting to read the news this morning of Jack's passing.
Only yesterday I was making enquiries to travel to Dublin in
April for
the Cannon Kirk Homes Irish Open at the Fitzwilliam club,
which is where I met Jack for the first time only last
September whilst reporting that event for squashsite.
Jack, as Tournament Referee, was so friendly and helpful to
me, always ensuring that I had the correct up to date scores
and results. We promised to meet again at this year's
tournament, unfortunately even if I make it, I will miss
Jack's friendly presence and assistance.
My sincere condolences to Jack's family and friends.
Arthur Curran |
I am very saddened to hear of
Jack's passing. A fine man, a fine referee and a very fair
assessor.
I met him in various parts of the world in my refereeing
capacity and it was always a pleasure to be in his company.
Could never get my head round the concept of a non-drinking
Irishman though! He will be sadly missed.
David Mathie |
I was very sad to awaken this
morning to the news of Jack's passing.
I remember meeting Jack for the first time in Princeton at
the World Juniors in 1998, and he was always a great person
to be around at tournaments. He was always full of jokes and
irish humour.
He was very friendly and was a great referee too. He was a
great supporter of my squash to this day; he always found
time to email me congratulations after a tournament win, and
will be greatly missed by the world of squash.
Nick Matthew |
So sorry
to hear of Jack’s passing. I first met him at the British
Open in Aberdeen in 1999. He was always great company and a
good referee.
My thoughts are with his family and friends.
God Bless you, Jack.
Alan Thatcher |
It is
very sad news and on behalf of Junior Squash in Ireland I
would like to say that in his approach to refereeing down
through the years he always put the players first! He will
be greatly missed by squash in Ireland.
Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dhílis!
Lee Healy
Junior Secretary, Irish Squash |
It was terrible to hear the
news of Jack's passing this morning. He was a terrific
referee, very passionate about the game, and always up for
the craic. He’ll be sorely missed.
My sympathy goes out to his family.
Brian O Hora |
Very sad news. Jack was always
one for an easy smile and a quick quip. Even when he was
serious you knew he had a little gem up his sleeve.
He was a great spirit and his passing is a loss shared by
all of the squash community the world over.
Martin Heath |
It was
with great sadness that I heard the news of Jack's passing.
I would like to pass on my deepest sympathies to his family
at this very sad time.
He was a true gentleman and a good friend to me during my
time as a player and a referee. He will be missed by all who
knew him.
Jack Allen |
Along
with so many of the squash fraternity, past and present, I
deeply feel Jack's untimely passing.
I will remember him as a loyal friend, an entertaining
companion, and a wise confidant.
I offer my deepest sympathy to his dear wife Breda, and
indeed to all his family in their sad loss.
John Massarella |
I was deeply saddened to hear
of the loss of Jack this morning.
I will always remember Jack for his generous help, advice
and support he gave to me and many other referees, he was a
true friend and gentleman.
My sincere condolences to his wife Breda, family and
friends.
Wendy Danzey |
Terrible and sad news about
Jack.
Throughout the 90s we travelled Europe and other parts of
the world together as International Referees. He was a good
and supportive friend, a good colleague to work with, and
good company, even though sharing a room with his snoring
wouldn’t have been top of my anticipations!
His work for squash in Ireland in particular, and his
refereeing experience will be sadly missed. My thoughts are
with his family.
David Stevenson |
It is
with profound sorrow that I hear of the passing of a great
friend, Jack Flynn.
I first met Jack in Kuala Lumpur in 1989, and he and I have
shared many squash memories and many laughs at many events
around the world since then. Jack was always in a cheery
mood, and could be counted on to find the humour in any
situation. He became a welcome visitor to the Canadian
Nationals in his role as a WSF Assessor, and his experience
and guidance has greatly benefited many an aspiring Canadian
referee.
Jack was always able to capture the local flavour wherever
he was in the world. As the Assessor at one particular team
event at the Pan American Games, he sensed the great rivalry
that existed between Argentina and Brazil and suggested that
the introductions should be made as "Let's get ready to
rumble, love-all".
Our prayers are with Breda and his family at this difficult
time.
Graham Waters |
Jack was a
great referee because his empathy for the players. And he
was a great and nice person because his empathy with
humanity.
Next december my Christmas postcard will not join him in
Dublin but I 'll continue to hear this Irish music that both
of us enjoyed so much even the gay reel of his life has
became suddenly a very sad Irish
ballad.
Yves Moineau |
I was saddened to hear the was
the news of Jack's passing. A sound man who gave me some
encouraging words over the years. He'll be sorely missed by
squash in Ireland.
Arthur Gaskin |
Extremely sad to hear of Jack’s
untimely passing.
A fantastic gentle man, Jack’s smile and warmth brought much
joy and happiness to all, both on the Irish circuit and also
on the World Stage. Jack’s enthusiasm and love of the game
will be remembered by all who knew him and his memory and
smile will live long amongst all who had the pleasure of
meeting him.
My thoughts go to his family and friends at this very
difficult time.
Rest in peace Jack x
Laura Mylotte |
What a
character this guy was!
As many have testified, he was an honest-to-goodness, truly
jovial fella and a pleasure to be around. Canadian officials
remember him fondly for the many times he attended events
here as assessor.
These initial days are filled with sadness – but memories of
the happy times together always help lessen that pain.
Barry Faguy |
It was
very sad news when I went on squashsite last night just
before our PSL match and read about Jack's passing.
Jack was always so friendly at tournaments and keen for a
chat. He was one of the faces I will always remember right
from my early days on the Tour.
His dedication to squash and refereeing in particular have
been outstanding, he will be sorely missed by all on the
squash scene.
My sincere condolences to his wife, family and friends.
Renan Lavigne |
All of us in Ireland connected
with the Irish Squash Open are saddened to hear of Jack's
death.
Jack has been at the heart of the tournament for years; his
contribution and love of squash went way beyond his role as
Tournament Referee. He was always good humoured, with a
ready smile and a helping hand for everyone.
Our sincere sympathies to his wife Breda and all his family.
We miss you Jack. Rest in peace.
Gina Menzies |
I was very sad to read the news
of Jack´s death. He was a lovely man and a true gentleman.
I will always remember him for his amiable and encouraging
nature, whilst still maintaining an air of authority, a rare
combination indeed. He will be a great lose to the world of
squash.
My thoughts are with his family.
Anita Dixon |
On this
day when a dear friend to many of us and the game of squash
is laid to rest, all of our thoughts are with his closest
friends and his family on this sad day.
Jack, we will miss you.
Alex Gough |
I was so
sad to hear of Jack's death. He was such a lovely, happy,
friendly man.
He had a great passion for squash and I and all of the
squash community had great respect for him as a referee and
as a person.
When I travel back to Dublin for the Irish Open next month,
it will be touched with sadness as it wont be quite the same
without him.
I will miss you Jack.
Madeline Perry |
I was deeply saddened to hear
of the loss of Jack. He was a true gentleman with a great
sense of humour.
Jack always had time for everybody. My thoughts go out to
all his family at this sad time.
David Evans |
Very sad to hear news of jack
passing away. He was a lovely guy who always put a smile on
your face with his great sense of humour.
He was a very fair referee who would always give his best
and dedicate a great deal of his life to squash. He will be
greatly missed.
My thoughts go out to his family at this very sad and
difficult time.
Mark Chaloner |
"I had
the pleasure of knowing jack from he start of my junior
squash career. he was a true lover of Squash, you could see
when he was around the tournaments that he was happy.
Always great to talk to, both on and off the court, though
never gave me enough free points (I did ask for a lot).
He will be sorely missed by everyone involved with the game
and more so by his loving family.
My thoughts are with them at this time.
Steve Richardson |
He was my
very special friend for over 30 years and I will miss him.
My thoughts are with his family.
George Tierney
I am deeply saddened to hear
the news of the loss of Jack.
I remember meeting Jack for the first time in the world
referees conference at Vienna – Austria in the year 2003.
Although we had a little interaction through this period but
I found him very kind & supportive.
My sincere condolences to his family members & friends.
Tahir Khanzada |
Very sad to hear of Jack's
passing, the news of which came as such a shock. It was
always a great pleasure to work with him and it is difficult
to realise that he will not be around anymore. I am sure,
though, that if squash is played in the 'afterlife' then he
will already be officiating in some capacity.
I'll miss his friendliness, his humour, his kindness and his
honesty. He always had time for everyone and had the ability
to put people at ease. It goes without saying that he was a
good referee, assessor and mentor.
A good man - the squash world will be a lesser place without
you, Jack.
My sincerest sympathies to his family.
Bill West |
I met Jack many years ago at
the Canadian Nationals and we became friends and kept in
touch. I will remember his kindness and friendliness.
I should have gone to Ireland last year to visit when he
asked me to. Hindsight – sorry Jack. I will miss your
friendship.
Chris Yap |
I am very
saddened to hear the news of Jack leaving us. When I think
of all the Irish legends over the years such as Hosey, Ryan,
Collins, Young, Forde, Barrett, Kavanagh, and all the Scots
and the Welsh and even some of the English !!!! who would
sit with Jack “ AFTER “ a game he had refereed, I think it
says it all about this gentleman.
Whether refereeing professional or amateur squash Jack
always had that calming presence with his own personal warm
character thrown in.
Fond memories with you Jack over 27 yrs !!!
Adrian Davies |
Jack - you will be so missed, a
true friend throughout 20 plus years and a wonderful support
to all you came in contact with. Thinking of all the family
at this difficult time
Joyce Buckley |
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