Thomas David Flynn ’35

Born in Los Angeles, Tom died April 12, 2003, while on a family vacation in Puerto Rico.

At Princeton, his performance in economics and election to Phi Beta Kappa were outshone by his athletic prowess in the minds of his classmates. He excelled on the varsity hockey and tennis teams (captaining the latter in his senior year), and was voted '35's best all-around athlete upon graduation.

Post-Princeton, Tom received an MBA in accounting from Columbia's Graduate School of Business in 1938 and spent a short time working for the Federal Trade Commission. In 1940 he joined Arthur Young & Co. as a CPA and partner, rose to senior partner, and was named vice chairman of the accounting firm's management committee before retiring in 1975. A few months later came a call from New York Gov. Hugh Carey, who appointed Tom the first chairman of the Municipal Assistance Corp. (Big MAC), then being set up to save New York City from what was regarded as potential financial ruin.

Tom's civic and social interests didn't ebb in the years that followed. He served as a trustee of Columbia University for 28 years and after moving from Sands Point, N.Y., to Princeton, was elected president of '35.

Survivors include his wife, Harriett Howland Flynn, daughters Susan and Christine, son John H. Flynn, and six grandchildren.

The Class of 1935