Dr. Joseph Flynn, Jr.

Dr. Joseph Charles Flynn, Jr., Orlando, passed away peacefully at home on February 4, 2021. (If you’re wondering, it wasn’t COVID-19)

Joe was a board certified orthopedic spinal surgeon at the Spine and Scoliosis Center. He was born in Philadelphia, PA on February 26, 1956, and grew up in Orlando where he attended Bishop Moore High School. After graduating in 1974 he attended Georgia Southern University and graduated with a BS in Biology in 1979. After college he pursued a career in teaching in rural Claxton, GA. It was a later change in heart that led him to change careers and attend the University of Florida Medical School, graduating in 1987. He did his orthopedic residency at the Medical University of South Carolina; followed by a spine fellowship at the Arkansas Spine Center in 1992. In 1993 he returned to Orlando to join his father and fellow surgeon, Dr. Joseph Charles Flynn Sr., at the Flynn Orthopedic Clinic. In 1996, his longtime business partner and friend Geoffrey Stewart joined the practice and rebranded as The Spine and Scoliosis Center, which still operates today. All of this background aside, he was a pretty awesome surgeon, and once used all of his orthopedic skills to operate on his daughter's cat.

Joe used his profession to volunteer for area youth sports. He was also active in supporting several local charities and helped start the Yellow Brick Road: The Holden Flynn Foundation which assists Central Florida families suffering from pediatric congenital heart disease.

While it's said in every obituary, Joe legitimately enjoyed life to the fullest. A dedicated family man, he was always the first to help anyone in trouble. He wasn’t the greatest golfer, but he loved to be on the course. He wasn’t the greatest sportsman, but he loved to be on the water. He took the turns kind of slow when he was driving, but he loved to race his cars. He was an avid Florida Gator fan and supported the athletics program as a Bull Gator for over 15 years. He was an excellent cook and most famously prepared the family’s annual Christmas Roast Beast Dinner.

Joe was a friend of everyone, and everyone was his friend. If you knew him, you likely were blessed to spend a night with him sipping bourbon and listening to jazz on his porch overlooking the lake. He hosted an annual Fourth of July party where he invited everyone to witness him ignite a fireworks arsenal that rivaled the armory of many small nations. He tested his BBQ recipes so frequently you often smell the bouquet of hickory emanating from his clothes. Recently, his grandchildren were the light his life, and their Pap-Pap was always willing to pass along a good joke.

Joe is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Jeanne; his high school sweetheart and best friend. Fate ultimately brought them together while he was attending Georgia Southern University. Together they raised four children, traveled the world, and spent numerous days sinking their toes into the sand together in Cocoa Beach.

He’s also survived by his children Joseph “Trey” (Nicole); Tiffany Mullarney; Sarah Ergle (Silas); and Sean; his grandchildren Kaylee and Skylar Mullarney; Rylee Ergle; Holden (predeceased 2014) and Parker Flynn. His siblings Kathy Carnevale (Charlie); Patricia Durfee (Timothy); Marigrace Anderson (Christopher); and his Yazel, John (Theresa). He also loved his gaggle of nieces and nephews, “adopted” children (Jennifer Moorehead) and couch crashers that he treated like his own children and grandkids. He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph C. and Jane Flynn.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to his grandson’s pediatric heart charity, Yellow Brick Road: The Holden Flynn Foundation at, https://www.YBRF.org