LACONIA — Walter Henry Flinn III passed away June 23, 2025.
He was born on Dec. 11, 1930, in Oak Park, Illinois, son of Walter H. Flinn Jr. and Lidella (née Hull) Flinn.
Walter was predeceased by Mary, his wife of 70 years. His surviving children include Skip of Park City, Utah, David of Penngrove, California, and Kathy (Hans) Dahll of Gilford; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Walter graduated from Lyons Township High School in LaGrange, Illinois, in 1948, and Grinnell College in 1952. He married his college sweetheart Mary in 1953. Moving that same year to Massachusetts, Walt joined the firm of Hallstrom and Fisher, Dairy Queen franchise owners. In 1956, he began a 29-year career with Western Electric (AT&T). In 1960, he had the opportunity to be part of the introduction of computers into the manufacturing process and the development of business systems at the plant in North Andover. He retired in 1985 as manager of installation of computer hardware and transmission equipment in the Bell Operating Companies.
Converting their vacation home in Gilford to their residence in 1985, Walt purchased Valley Graphics in Plymouth, and for 17 years his company specialized in creating Yellow Pages advertising for telephone company directories.
In Massachusetts, Walter’s community service included the Governor’s Task Force studying the operating costs of primary and secondary education, and board memberships on the Massachusetts Advisory Council on Education, the Merrimack Education Cooperative (MEC), the 10 Massachusetts State Colleges, including terms as vice chair and chair, and A Better Chance (ABC) in North Andover. He chaired search committees for the presidents of Worcester and Salem State colleges, and in 1980 Walt received an honorary doctorate from Fitchburg State.
In New Hampshire, he continued his interest in community service, serving on the boards of The Indian Museum in Warner, Squam Lake Science Center, Lake Region Charitable Trust, Boys & Girls Club of the Lakes Region, Boys & Girls Club of Central New Hampshire, and the Taylor Community. He was an incorporator of the Circle Program for Girls and chaired a committee for the expansion of the Gilford Community Church.
Enjoying more than 30 years as a member of the Winnipesauke Yacht Club, Walt found that the joy of family and friends and living in the Lakes Region were his heaven on Earth.
There are no calling hours. A celebration of life will be held at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gilford Youth Center, 19 Potter Hill Road, Gilford, NH 03249, or Boys & Girls Club of the Lakes Region, 876 N. Main St., Laconia, NH 03246.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, visit wilkinsonbeane.com.
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Walter was a great man and will be missed. I worked for him for years and he was almost like a second father. I am truly sorry for you loss. Janna Robinson
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