James Robert Flynn, O.S.A.

1946 – 2025 (July 21)

James Robert Flynn, O.S.A., was born on August 30, 1946, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Leo J. and Jeanette V. (Daly) Flynn. He had one sister. He was baptized on September 14, 1946, at Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended Most Blessed Sacrament Parochial School from 1952 to 1960, and Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York from 1960 to 1964. He was received into the Order as a novice on September 9, 1964, and after a year at Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, New York, he professed first vows on September 10, 1965. He then attended Villanova University from 1965 to 1969 and received a BA in Philosophy. Then he went to Augustinian College, Washington, DC from 1969 to 1973, and attended the Washington Theological Coalition, receiving his MA in theological studies. He professed solemn vows on September 10, 1968. He was ordained to the priesthood on August 12, 1972, by Bishop Walter Sullivan, bishop of the Diocese of Richmond, Virginia, at Saint Denis Catholic Church, Havertown, Pennsylvania.

Fr. Jim’s first assignment was to Malvern Preparatory School, Malvern, Pennsylvania from 1973 to 1980, where he taught Mathematics and Religion. He received a MA degree in Teaching Mathematics from Villanova University in 1976. From 1980 to 1982, he was Prior of Good Counsel Novitiate, Lawrence, Massachusetts, and taught part time at Austin Preparatory School, Reading, Massachusetts. From 1982 to 1988, he was assigned Prior at Austin Preparatory School, where he continued to teach Mathematics and Religion. In 1988, he returned to Malvern Preparatory School, where he continued to teach Mathematics and Theology from 1988 to 1997. He was appointed and served as Assistant Head of School from 1997 to 2006. From 2002 to 2005, he was Dean of the Middle School; and beginning in 2006 he served as Head of the School. In 1999, he received an MA in Educational Leadership from Villanova University. At Malvern Prep, he is well-remembered for his involvement in developing successful programs like the Malvernians Encountering God in Others (MECO), which have made an impact on the lives of many Malvern students. In December of 2022, because of declining health, Fr. Jim was assigned to live at St. Thomas Monastery. On July 21, 2025, Fr. Jim passed away peacefully at the Monastery.