Obituary of Charles A. Flint Jr.

Charles A. Flint Jr.
Pine Bush, NY

It is with the heaviest of hearts that the family of Charles Abraham "Bud" Flint, Jr. of Pine Bush, NY, announces his passing on January 31st, 2024. "Poppy", as he was known by everyone since 2001, lived the fullest life possible for 85 years. Born in Lowville, NY on  December 13, 1938 to Charles Abraham Flint and Doris Henrietta Fruin Flint, Bud grew up on the "Rock Patch" in Lyons Falls, graduating from Lyons Falls High School in 1957.   There he made friendships that stood the test of time.  As recently as this past fall, Bud and  his lifelong friends were in contact on social media, the phone and in person.  Bud could reminisce for hours, and never had a bad word to say about anyone. He was open-minded, open-hearted and an open book.  He would give you his opinion if asked, and not be offended if you did not take his advice. He shared his triumphs and his tragedies, knowing full well that experience makes the best teacher.  Bud spent his whole life teaching others to work together to solve problems while still forging their own individual paths. In 1960, Bud graduated from the State University of New York at Canton with an AAS in Electrical Technology. He then joined the United States Army and began teaching others by his example.  

His performance reports are filled with accolades. "CPT Flint's officers and men developed keen senses of unit spirit and individual morale". "His ability to organize men and material is superior to any other officer I've seen in operation and training activities". "CPT Flint inspired those officers associated with him to willingly perform to the utmost of their ability".  In 1979, after twenty years of service, he proudly entered the United States Army Retired Reserve. Bud's professional career was as a Consulting Program Manager for the IBM Corporation from 1965-1993. During those years, he continued his education and earned a BS in Vocational and Technical Education from the State University of NY Empire State College (1975) and took 18 credits of the MBA program at Colorado State University (1975-78).  Through an IBM Corporation exchange program, he was invited to be a full-time guest professor at Essex County Community College teaching marketing and human relations courses in 1987-88.  While there, he wrote a five year strategic plan for the college.  It was at Essex County Community College that his desire to be a full time classroom teacher was realized, and after  29 years of staff/management positions at IBM, he was employed at Orange-Ulster County BOCES teaching Cisco Networking.  He spent the next 20 years influencing students and peers alike.  He taught content and collaboration, curriculum and confidence. He was beloved by his students because he treated them with respect while demanding professionalism and a strong effort in return. He kept in touch with many of his former students and was honored when they shared life's milestones with him.  By his side for 55 years was the love of his life, his wife Kathleen Louise (Clark) Flint, whom he married on April 30, 1966.  

The following year brought the birth of their daughter Bethany Ganley (husband James Waterman), son David Flint in 1970 and daughter Molly Mancuso (partner Cody Carroll) in 1982.  In 2001, Bud became "Poppy" when his first grandchild was born.  The name stuck, and even in his final days at Westchester Medical Center, the entire staff addressed him as "Poppy".  Poppy was a well-known figure in the Pine Bush/Walker Valley communities.  He was exceedingly generous and could be found at many pancake breakfast/spaghetti dinner fundraisers for local organizations. There wasn't a raffle ticket he wouldn't purchase or a contribution he wouldn't make if he thought it could make someone's day a little brighter. He had a great love for misfit animals and frequently made donations to a very special local 501c3 not for profit animal rescue named Sandy's Tattered Tails Animal Sanctuary. Donations to this rescue in his name would be humbly appreciated (c/o Sandra Nordstrom PO Box 401 Pine Bush, NY 12566).  He had daily words of wisdom on his Facebook page that resonated with his family, friends and perfect strangers.  He would "sign off" each post with "Enjoy today. Enjoy life and always, always, always keep smiling".  He lived his life every day as a teacher, and those of us who learned from him are forever blessed. Bud was predeceased by his wife Kathleen (January 2021), his sister Patricia Marmon, his brother-in law William Marmon, and his parents, as well as his step-father John Cataldo.  He leaves to honor his memory his children Bethany, David and Molly, his grandchildren Christopher Ganley, Finnegan Flint, and Charlotte Carroll, his son-in-law James Waterman as well as his step-grandchildren Madison (Blake O'Donnell) and great granddaughter Addy, Jamie Waterman, and Kenny Waterman.

He is also deeply missed by his sister Rosemary Flint of Spencerport, NY, his sister-in-law Dorothy Clark of Brockport, NY, his nieces Terri Britton, Julie La Monte, Rosemary Reed, Bambie Zimmerman, and Dawn Hurd and his nephews Chuck Marmon, Joel Marmon and all of their respective families, as well as very special friends Brian and Dahlia Fox and their sons, Joseph and Max. A celebration of his life will be planned in Pine Bush early this summer - information will be posted on Bud's Facebook page as well as those of his family members. Arrangements entrusted to the William M. Gagan Funeral Home Inc.