Memories of Michael Irvin Flinn

In memory of

Michael Irvin Flinn

Richmond, VA

January 24, 1964 - March 18, 2025

Jan 24, 1964 - Mar 18, 2025

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Todd Ranson

Here's to you Mike!! You were one of a kind!

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Kate Flinn

Today would have been Mike's 62nd birthday. Story and I have been busy most of today preparing for the snow/sleet that is due to arrive around midnight. Part of our preparations included getting the generator cleaned and running--something Mike did faithfully a couple of times a year-- just in case we lose power. Of course he's been on my mind a lot today for all these reasons. In the midst of our many ups and downs over the last 10 months, the kids and I continue to craft our new "Flinn ecosystem" and work together to solve the challenges that Mike always and naturally took care of around the house and in our lives. We very much love him and miss him.

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LOVELL FLINN

He helped me a lot to understand modern electronics. Helping me get past a slow down, blockage on my computer, etc.

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Kate Flinn

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Elizabeth Horn

I didn't know Michael well because my friendship was mainly with Kate, my beloved friend. Together, Kate and I have logged hundred of miles walking througout our beautiful neighborhood and so had many opportunities to share. I always had a deep sense that their relationship was a genuine partnership based in mutual respect and squarely focused on their family. Since Michael's passing we've had many more walks. In all of these years, Kate never spoke a word of derision about her husband understanding we are all inherently imperfect trying to navigate an imperfect world. In retrospect, one of my regrets is that I didn't make more time to know him. Without a doubt, my life would have been better for it.

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James Bartolomeo

Mike will truly be missed. He was peerless as a Key Grip and lovely presence on set.

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Kate Flinn

Butterfly Bush rig

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Scott Inge

Judy Wolfe

Jane Bell

Lindsay Hess

Danny Caporaletti

Erin Surber

Comments:

Kate Flinn

Our giant butterfly bush had fallen over after the ice storm in February. We worked together to come up with... Read more Our giant butterfly bush had fallen over after the ice storm in February. We worked together to come up with something that would... Read more Our giant butterfly bush had fallen over after the ... Read more

Patrick McLynn

2020, BES Studios, Old Osborne Turnpike, Henrico, VA, USA

This rig had all of Mike’s favorite things! A big ass riser, Mayberry heads, 5/8 rod, daisy chains, mini cardellinis, locking carabiners, etc. Kevin and I were happy to feed him carefully procured parts and pieces that were always in the exact same pouch/case/pocket/tool bag every time. I consider myself very fortunate to have worked with a true craftsman. I just accepted that Mike was one of those people that could’ve done anything, really anything he wanted to as a profession. Seriously, can you think of anything Mike couldn’t have mastered given a year or two? Selfishly, I’m happy that he chose the production industry. He was a good teacher and generous with his knowledge. It was a great accomplishment for me when Mike stopped saying “bless your heart” to me, well less frequently anyway hahaha! It’s a business that attracts the most wonderful and brilliant misfits, with Mike being the most brilliant of them all. I hope that he knew that I loved him or at least thought I cared about him. Most importantly I hope he knew that I truly respected him as a human being, as a husband, a father, and of course the best Grip available… period.

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Danny Caporaletti

Kendra Mamula

Scott Inge

Colin Earner

Kevin Gallagher

Jane Bell

Kate Flinn

Erin Surber

Mike Matney

Comments:

Kate Flinn

Patrick, he mentioned you often and I do feel he loved you and Kevin in his own way :-)

... Read more Patrick, he mentioned you often and I do feel he loved you and Kevin in his own way :-)

I realized... Read more Patrick, he mentioned you often and I do feel he loved... Read more

Patrick McLynn

❤️ ❤️ ❤️

Kate Flinn

One of the YouTube channels Mike visited was Steve MRE. This was his catchphrase (with "cake" added by us :-)

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Scott Inge

Patrick McLynn

Jane Bell

Kendra Mamula

Comments:

Patrick McLynn

I love that channel because of Mike! I love that channel because of Mike! I love that channel because of Mike!

Kate Flinn

:-) :-) :-)

Kate Flinn

2021, Mike pole dancing in D.C. for my birthday

Scott Inge

Patrick McLynn

Jane Bell

Lindsay Hess

Danny Caporaletti

Joseph McCorkle

Kendra Mamula

Mike Matney

Kate Flinn

2018, Relaxing at Nags Head

Scott Inge

Patrick McLynn

Jane Bell

Lindsay Hess

Kate Flinn

If anyone has any pictures of Mike from Legacy and/or The Contender they could share that would be greatly appreciated :-)

Kate

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Scott Inge

Douglas Flinn

Michael singing Happy Birthday from afar to his son Story, from either Genoa or Barcelona in 2016

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LeAnn Otterbein

Robert Warren

Scott Inge

Patrick McLynn

Kevin Emmons

Jane Bell

Lindsay Hess

Danny Caporaletti

Joseph McCorkle

Kendra Mamula

Kate Flinn

Erin Surber

Comments:

Patrick McLynn

Incredible Incredible Incredible

Kate Flinn

This was such a lovely birthday present :-) This was such a lovely birthday present :-) This was such a lovely birthday present :-)

Patrick McLynn

2019, Hull Street, Richmond, VA, USA

Mike was more than happy to push this young steadicam operator around on the pee wee. If you look at his face he’s obviously struggling to hold back the jokes and puns that were coming to him. Man, I wish I’d written them all down once we wrapped.

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Danny Caporaletti

Scott Inge

Kate Flinn

Colin Earner

Douglas Flinn

Kevin Emmons

Jane Bell

Kendra Mamula

Erin Surber

Patrick McLynn

2018, Tilt Creative + Production Studios, North Arthur Ashe Boulevard, Richmond, VA, USA

The Magic Shed

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Kevin Emmons

Karl Elchinger

Jane Bell

Scott Inge

Danny Caporaletti

Lindsay Hess

Kate Flinn

Colin Earner

Judy Wolfe

Douglas Flinn

Kendra Mamula

andrew carnwath

Erin Surber

Patrick McLynn

2020, Audi Field, Potomac Avenue Southwest, Washington, DC, USA

The fastest dolly grip in the east

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Kevin Emmons

Karl Elchinger

Jane Bell

Scott Inge

Danny Caporaletti

Lindsay Hess

Kate Flinn

Colin Earner

Judy Wolfe

Douglas Flinn

Kendra Mamula

andrew carnwath

Erin Surber

Comments:

Kate Flinn

He told us this job was when he realized he wasn't 30 anymore! He told us this job was when he realized he wasn't 30 anymore! He told us this job was when he realized he wasn't ... Read more

Patrick McLynn

2018, Quirk Hotel Richmond, West Broad Street, Richmond, VA, USA

Mike singing Morrissey to RVA

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Kevin Emmons

Karl Elchinger

Jane Bell

Scott Inge

Danny Caporaletti

Kate Flinn

Colin Earner

Douglas Flinn

andrew carnwath

Erin Surber

Mike Matney

Angela Ratliff

1994, Tazewell County, VA, USA

I met Michael on the set of my first movie "Lassie" back in 1994. My first impression of Michael was friendly , funny, and smart. I would see Michael through the years on set- he was very hard working , professional, and had a good sense of humor. I am determined to one day share a picture of us at the wrap party on "Lassie" when we were young when I find it.

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Jane Bell

Scott Inge

Danny Caporaletti

Kate Flinn

Douglas Flinn

John Dombroski

Mike taught me so much, from intricate technical grip skills and tools, to how to keep an even keel and a lighthearted focus under mounting pressure when the rest of the world was spinning. I’ve always marveled at how he seemed so relaxed while at the same time always calculating the next move, infinitely prepared, ready to spring into action at less than a moment’s notice. He was always looking out for everyone, even me, when I was just a kid on set. I’m grateful for the respect and kindness he gave me. His calm presence and expert technical mastery of his craft was an inspiration to witness and work alongside. He taught me, directly and indirectly, to always slow down and focus on my work with consideration for others—that the most important thing on any job is the safety and well being of everyone there. I will always keep close the composure and sensitivity that I learned through working with him, and I will make sure to do my best to pass it on, just as he did to me.

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Danny Caporaletti

Douglas Flinn

Scott Inge

Kevin Gallagher

Kate Flinn

Erin Surber

Angela Ratliff

Mike Matney

Jackie Robinson Brock

Jane Bell

Kate Flinn

Douglas Flinn

Christine Eubanks

Joe Cacciotti

Scott Inge

Jackie Robinson Brock

2025, Amelia Court House, VA, USA

Funeral service sunshine

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Jane Bell

Douglas Flinn

Claire Lewis Evans

Scott Inge

Erin Surber

Comments:

Claire Lewis Evans

Looks like a beautiful day for such an important ceremony. I'm so sorry I couldn't make up to Virginia to... Read more Looks like a beautiful day for such an important ceremony. I'm so sorry I couldn't make up to Virginia to be with you all and ... Read more Looks like a beautiful day for such an important ceremony.... Read more

Kate Flinn

Thank you for the beautiful pictures Jackie, and thank you Claire for your love Thank you for the beautiful pictures Jackie, and thank you Claire for your love Thank you for the beautiful pictures Jackie, and thank... Read more

Karl Elchinger

The first time I met Mike he was building a platform off a porch to run dolly track. He seemed like he wasn’t having a great day, and he declined the offer of help. I later found out he was in a tiff with another crew member about another job. The next time I worked with him, I saw him apologizing to the other person for being a jerk. I learned two things from Mike that day- the film industry is different from most because we respect each other and own our behavior and mistakes. The other thing I saw was that he was a meticulous craftsman and I wanted to learn more from him.

Learn I did...proper use of a C stand, creative problem solving and thinking outside the box, having fun at work, the importance of doing things right the first time, how far away lightning was, that joke about set safety...

I only got to work with him for about 5 years while I lived in Richmond, but we literally traveled the world together and created so many fun, nerdy, impressive, hilarious memories. Always quick with a quip and a solution, he set a high bar that will live on in all of us.

"And a very good day!" Miss ya Mike...

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Douglas Flinn

Danny Caporaletti

Kevin Emmons

Scott Inge

Kevin Gallagher

Erin Surber

Comments:

Kate Flinn

Thank you for this Karl. I too learned the proper use of a C stand (which comes surprisingly in handy in ... Read more Thank you for this Karl. I too learned the proper use of a C stand (which comes surprisingly in handy in a home setting :-) from... Read more Thank you for this Karl. I too learned the proper use... Read more