[3] He had an older brother, John Flynn, who briefly played major league baseball, while his younger brother, Edmund W. Flynn, later served as Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court from 1935 to 1957.

[2] At the state convention in 1922, Flynn won the Democratic nomination over favorite John T. Brown, Superior Court Judge.

On May 17, 1924, the Ku Klux Klan held an illegal meeting at the state arsenal on Benefit Street, which attracted about 200 men.

Governor Flynn denounced the KKK and forbade the group from meeting on state property.

[7] Flynn's term was marked by extreme partisan conflict within the Rhode Island state senate, which was controlled by a Republican majority.

[2] A fistfight, a small bromine gas attack, and an exodus of Republican state Senators followed.

[2] These events made the Rhode Island state government the focus of national ridicule and scorn.

[8] Flynn refused to call the National Guard to restore order, saying that the executive branch should not interfere with legislative matters.

[2] Flynn led the advisory board for the Public Works Administration from 1933 to 1934 and served as division director for Providence Civilian Defense during World War II.

[5] His funeral was held at St. Paul's Church in Edgewood, and he was buried at St. Francis Cemetery in Pawtucket.