We were lucky to have met not too long ago, Horace.  He always spoiled us with pretzels when he would pick up his food.  He will be missed. I can see why you have touched so many lives.  RIP good sir -"Soup man"

Grandpa Flynn, 

Oh how I miss your laugh, and your smile. You adopted me as your own. You have been supporting, encouraging, and showing me unconditional love since middle school since I met you at student home Verona in 6th grade.  You have been with me at my high school (2017) and college graduation (2022)! I couldn’t have asked for a better grandpa in my life. You have been such a blessing in my and my families life. We miss and love you dearly💜

I met Mr. Flynn at the Cocoa Bean in the 6th grade. He has been a mentor, a grandfather and more since then. I introduced him to my houseparents of student home Verona where he went on to impact each of our lives and each generation of girls at Verona following my graduation. Baking treats, making candy, and helping with school projects like interviewing an alumni for Mr. Galloway’s class. Now 25 years old, we kept in touch through email updates. I pray for his family and I am beyond grateful for meeting him that rainy day.

Eventually our travels and meals together included “Flynnie’s” son’s Mike, Jim and John. After repeated occasions of witnessing their willingness to allow either me (the new “orphan brother of Flynnie’s”) or their father to pick up the tab on all of the meals we shared together I knew that they too had allowed me into their inner family circle and embraced me as a friend. Flynnie and his sons were always first to offer to help me, and they often did, asking nothing more than a thank-you. 
I miss you Flynnie…Christmas will be tough without you. This world misses you too Flynnie…you and all of your “orphan brothers” who have passed but were a great part of America’s Greatest Generation. By now, I am sure that God has welcomed you and joined you with your entire very, very, very, large “family” of friends, loved ones, and “orphan brothers” including my father. This world will never be as good without all of you…but I am sure your new world will never be more thankful or better. 
Thanks, Flynnie, love you… your “orphan brother” Jeff McNelly 10/29/2024

A day or two after Halloween Day, 2007 “Flynnie” contacted me, asking when I had last been with “Mac”, my father. Since it was a few days prior, he suggested that I immediately go to my father’s home. I did as he asked, and I found my father in bed, he had died in his sleep. “Flynnie” was the first person I called. 
My Mother and only brother both had died prior to my father’s death. “Flynnie” was well aware of my new “orphan” status and he seemed to embrace me with a very unique, strong, and welcoming support. He seemed to have an insight into my soul and slowly brought me into his “close family of Milton Hershey orphan brothers”. 
Though we were a generation apart in age, he contacted me repeatedly to join him in one of his many weekly trips to find the best pretzels, or the best kielbasa, scrapple, fish, seafood, or even apple dumplings. Our monthly run to Lebanon, PA involved loading hundreds of dollars of pretzels into his vehicle that were either directly delivered that day to many on his list or taken to his home where he broke them into small pieces and seasoned them to perfection…a mixture that was placed into 100s of small bags and delivered to so many people…generally free of charge. My daughters, granddaughters, and I were lucky to be a few of the many benefactors of his generosity. His personalized recipes and unique ability allowed him to produce some of the most delicious seasoned pretzels and chocolates we have ever tasted. 
Our all-day trips included not only finding the best that the PA agriculture and ethnic heritage communities had to offer, but it gave us time to share stories about life and argue over the vehicle’s temperature and radio stations. I learned much about “Flynnie” and my own father, “Mac” (“Bing”) during those trips. “Flynnie” became a close friend of mine, so close in fact that, in honor of my father’s relationship with “Flynnie”, I allowed him to pick up the tab on many of the breakfast meals we shared together.

“Flynnie”
I have very fond memories of my parents spending many shared social hours (cards at each other’s homes and dancing at the local VFW or Legion) with my father’s “lifelong orphan brotherhood family” which included “Flynnie” (Rosemarie) and “Whitey” Kline (Midge). On many “card night” occasions us kids traveled to the host home where we were not only introduced to this “other family” but also got to share in many of the treats that were being served that evening mixed with many playful hours with the host’s kids. Such was family life in the post-war 40’s, 50’s and early 60’s.
 “Flynnie” as so many others during that time, including my father, was an orphan child whose coal mining father died early in life. He was “adopted” by the Milton Hershey School for orphan boys. Together they lived in one of the many Milton Hershey farmhouses located in the vast farm acreage surrounding the Hershey, PA chocolate factory. They milked cows together, went to school together, ate meals and celebrated holidays together, played sports together, and often got into mischief together. They became a very close family of “orphan brothers”.  
Graduation from high school during the War Years of the 40’s and 50’s meant an immediate trip overseas to support our war efforts. “Flynnie”, like so many from America’s Greatest Generation, went and served, and luckily survived the horrible and brutal conditions of war. Upon return he worked, married, raised children, (helped with grandkids too), cared for his wife through her long-term significant health challenges, and voluntarily helped so many in his community, including his “school for orphan boys” extended family.

Mr. Flynn was like a grandfather to my middle school student home all because of a pack of gum. He wrote us birthday cards and holiday cards, made us feel loved even though he had no relation but MHS. I'll always remember him and forever miss him. Going to get some Shofly Pie, in honor of Mr. Flynn.

My condolences to John ,Mary the Flynn family. ..
I'm Cherishing the memories made over years of sharing the back pew and the laughter and story  telling that floated around the Easter Egg label table with Lew and the men. Horace couldn't be happier than when his grandsons would come to help and fellowship. He was so generous with his time.From going to Shueys and picking up 50lbs or more of pretzels to the Potpie or pies he would pickup and deliver to his  friends.  Being the recipient of a  tossed bag of seasoned pretzels was the  best ! His visits and  making sure others had a ride to appointments  were appreciated by many . I'll miss our chat's and Horace's Wonderful laugh  !! A life well lived through your Faith. 
Prayers of comfort for you ...
Karen Cordner

Dearest John & family-I am honored that we got to sit with your Dad ('Pops') last yr at MHS Homecoming dinner, and THIS year, we got to chat with him at the Wreath Laying ceremony on Sept. 8th, 2024. The HIS guys are/were men of legends. RIP Horace. 
Nick and Kathleen Leitner & family.

High School graduation of one of his “adopted” grand children, Tariah.

So many from Milton Hershey will miss MrFlynn.

What a faithful friend at his age visiting us in Costa Rica! Thank you Mary for coming there with him. We were blessed!❤️

May I express my true condolences to Horaces family.  He was a wonderful friend.  May he rejoice in the heavens with all his friends that went before him.  He would always put such a big smile on my mommas face when he would enter a room. Rest in Peace Horace. ❤️

I was saddened to hear of the passing of our great friend Horace. What a true Spartan that was very loyal to our HOME, and school. I have known Horace for many years, and witnessed first hand his dedication to MHS by constantly stopping by student homes, bringing candy, and pretzels to the students. Horace followed the students through the years, from student home to student home, and upon graduation he would give them a gift as if they were his own children. After graduation Horace would keep in touch with these alumni, and offer assistance where he could. I was fortunate to be meet Horace, and I became one of the fortunate ones to receive cards, calls, texts, emails, and pretzels (Homemade by Horace) all throughout the year. Horace is a true SPARTAN that always attended Homecomings, Fellowship Weekends, and graduations to support his younger brothers and sisters of MHS. Horace is the perfect example of the type of student that Mr. Hershey had in mind when founding Hershey Industrial School (HIS). Horace is at peace now, I pray for his family, knowing that we will see Horace again one day. God bless his family, his MHS family, and everyone he touched throughout his long life on this earth.  I know it was many.

Mr. Flynn was part of the Student Home Naples family for many years.  He was a wonderful addition to our lives as well as all the girls that went through our home.  His generosity was indescribable.  We had a lot of holidays, birthdays, and even our vows renewal at the student home that included him.  Before we left Hershey we went to lunch together.  His spirit will live on forever in the hearts of all the people and organizations he loved.  Our love goes out to his family and know he loved each and every one of you and bragged about you all the time.    May you find peace in knowing how important he was to so many.  With Love Randy and Chris Kieffer and all the former Naples girls that called him grandpa.

MHS Homecoming 2014. Horace you were the best Spartan. God shined a light on me the day I met you. I will miss you so much. 🙏🏻😢❤️

Mr. Flynn was one of the nicest people I ever met.Always smiling, He and his wife did an amazing job with their children all of which are like him. He will be missed and remembered.  Pat Donato

Mr.Flynn was an amazing man. I met him when I was in middle school when we were at a football game. My student home shortly after became very close with him. I am very thankful to have met this man. He taught me a lot. I’m going to miss his random emails. He was a great man and very much like a grandfather to me through- out my time at Milton Hershey School. Thank you for everything!

OBITUARY

Horace James Flynn

October 13, 1928 – October 22, 2024

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