Obituary: Former Castleton councillor Ted Flynn dies aged 79

Former councillors Peter Davison and Pat Flynn with Ted Flynn (right)

Former Castleton councillor Ted Flynn has died at the age of 79.

Ted, who served as a Liberal Democrat councillor for the Castleton ward for more than 17 years, died at his home surrounded by his family on Monday 28 September.

Born in Rochdale in 1936, he attended St John’s RC Primary School and went on to De La Salle College in Salford. He then joined the Army at the age of 18 and served with the artillery in Hong Kong.

He met his wife Pat when he was 15-years-old and she was 16. They married in 1959 and recently celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary. They had two children, Stephanie and Marcus.

Speaking about Ted, Pat Said: “He was a great chap and from all of the cards I have had, everyone has said the same thing. That he was a great chap. I have had cards from all of the places he was involved with over time. He was a bit outspoken and sometimes on the border of being rude, but he was just saying what was on his mind.”

Ted took over his father’s coal business E Flynn and Sons and ran that until his retirement.
He was heavily involved with Balderstone School and spent over 20 years at the school as a treasure.

During his time with the council, which was spent serving alongside his wife Pat, Ted was a cabinet member for community safety and leisure and was chairman of the planning committee.

Pat added: “He was a councillor for 17 years and he loved getting out to see people and dealing with their issues. He was very community minded and was very involved with people in the community.”

Both Ted and Pat resigned from the Liberal Democrat party in 2010. Ted later stood in the election as an independent candidate but was not re-elected.

He was also the President of Rochdale and District Angling Society.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Andy Kelly said: “I only served with Ted on the council for a short period and never really got the chance to know him. But according to his campaign and ward colleagues he was a hardworking and dedicated councillor. I would like to pass on my condolences to his family.”

Ted leaves behind his wife Pat, children Stephanie and Marcus and his five grandchildren.

Ted’s funeral will take place on Thursday 8 October at St Martin’s Church, Castleton at 1.15pm. A committal will follow at Middleton Crematorium at 2.20pm.