Obituary: Alton Flynn, Beloved Retired Stoughton High Teacher

Remembered for his warm and caring personality and devotion to his students, longtime Stoughton High teacher Alton Flynn passed away Saturday, June 8 after a long and difficult illness. 

Flynn, 68, lived in Hanson, and was formerly of Holbrook. He was at Stoughton High from 1983 until his retirement in 2007, teaching in both the Business Education Department, and the Social Studies Department. 

Prior to his teaching career, which included stops in Cohasset and Braintree before his two decades in Stoughton, Flynn served in the Army during the Vietnam War. 

While at SHS, Flynn wrote the curriculum for and started the popular social studies elective, The American War in Vietnam.

"As a veteran, he brought something special to that class," Social Studies department head John Gallivan said.

"He was the kind of guy who really cared about his students," Gallivan added, "and they reciprocated that."

Flynn served as a Class Advisor for many classes, and was a Peer Leadership Advisor. He founded the school's first Gay Straight Alliance. 

One of Flynn's former students, Melanie (Whittaker) Ingrao, who graduated SHS in 2000, now teaches in his old classroom. 

"I first met Mr. Flynn as a student in his 10th grade multiculturalism course and later did an independent study with him as a senior.  This was my first experience in the classroom as anything other than a student, and in 2007 when he retired I inherited his classroom where I now sit each day at a desk autographed by students who loved him," Ingrao said.  

"Through his multiculturalism and American War in Vietnam courses, his role as class advisor, advisor to the Peer Leadership club, and especially his founding of the school’s first Gay Straight Alliance, Al taught me that what we learn from history must be applied to the present world. That citizenship and social responsibility are of the most important lessons we can teach our students. He was a passionate teacher who deeply cared for the students at Stoughton High School," she continued.

Flynn was also one of the charter board members for the Kids Voting Stoughton program.  

"He was a warm, wonderful and caring man who really loved his students," Sharon Fradklin of Kids Voting Stoughton wrote in an email, noting how Flynn "worked so hard for [Kids Voting] even after he retired." 

"His demise was slow and probably uncomfortable for him but he had loving family around all the time, based on [Facebook] posts regularly from his sister," Fradkin added.

"He was a passionate educator, whose teaching had an impact on many," current SHS principal, and former SHS student and teacher Julie Miller said. 

"He was a real sweet man," Stoughton School Committee vice chair Joyce Husseini said at the June 11 School Committee meeting. Flynn had taught Husseini's daughter Lisa. 

Flynn had a "lifelong love of all things automotive, and found peace in working on his immaculate cars," according to his obituary. He also enjoyed exercising, taking long bike rides and going to museums.

He was the beloved husband of Ena M. (Bell) Flynn, loving father of Leslie O’Neil of Kansas, and devoted brother of Evelyn Mavilia of Holbrook, Kathy Flynn of Braintree and Marion Flynn of IL, according to his obituary. He was also the grandfather of two and had many nieces, nephews, great nieces, aunts, uncles and cousins.

A wake will be held at Cartwright Funeral Home (69 South Franklin Street in Holbrook) on Thursday, June 13, from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m., followed by a funeral at St. Joseph's Church (153 South Franklin Street in Holbrook) at 10 a.m. Burial will take place at 2:15 p.m. at the VA National Cemetery in Bourne.

Donations in his memory may be made in his name to Colony House Scholarship Fund, 277 Washington St., Abington, MA 02351.