Passing of the quiet man of Tuam’s showband era

ONE of the most unassuming men from the halcyon days of the showbands, Francie Flynn, brother of the late Tuam bandleader Johnny, passed away last week.
You could describe Francie as the quiet man of Tuam’s most famous showband. But despite his low profile Francie was there during the biggest days and nights of the band, including the time when fans hired a train from Dundalk to Belfast to see and hear them play.
He was the bass player and provided the grounding when they had Tuam’s first No. 1 record, The Black and Tan Gun, with Pat Smyth as lead vocalist in 1966.
Pat,who lives in Dublin for decades, is still a regular visitor to Tuam and he would often meet Francie to talk about the old days on the dancing scene. Francie’s brother, the band leader Johnny, passed away suddenly in November 1996.
After his younger years on the big band scene Francie played with a number of local cabaret groups including Rosaleen and the Ramblers. A talented carpenter, he also taught woodwork for the Western Health Board to adult students in the workshop at Toghermore House for many years before his retirement.
He was involved in a lot of voluntary work including with The Irish Wheelchair Association, Tuam Cathedral, The No Name Club and other community groups and was also a keen golfer.
But above all Francie Flynn was a devoted family man. The passing of his wife Della (nee Joyce from Brownsgrove) at an all too young age, over 13 years ago, was a big blow to him and their family. His brother-in-law Stephen Joyce also passed away a little over a month ago on December 27 last.
Never a person for pomp or ceremony, the gentle giant Francie Flynn was loved by everyone who knew him and his passing is sincerely regretted by all, but especially his family and many friends in the music business.