Flynn (Ray) is born in Boston.

The son of a Stephen and Lillian (Kirby) Flynn, Ray Flynn graduated from South Boston High School and Providence College, and after an unsuccessful try-out with the Boston Celtics, becomes a probation officer. He marries Catherine Coyne, serves in the Massachusetts House of Representatives (1971-79 ), on the Boston City Council (1978-1983), as mayor of Boston (1984-93). Flynn becomes known as the “Mayor of the Neighborhoods” and is credited with helping heal the racial wounds in Boston left by the school desegregation/busing controversy. He serves as U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican (1993-98), and subsequently becomes an author and newspaper columnist.