The History of the Gaelic Athletic Association in Canada Tapa blanda - 2008

John O'Flynn's late father, Thomas O'Flynn (Kilmeedy, County Limerick), first came to Toronto in 1953, and his late mother, Elizabeth (nee O'Keeffe) (Duagh, County Kerry), arrived together as a married couple in 1962 to British Columbia. John was born in 1964 and attended Vancouver's St. Patrick's Elementary, Vancouver College and graduated from the Seminary of Christ the King in Mission.

John's parents introduced him to Ireland's national games of Gaelic Football and Hurling with the members of the Vancouver Irish Sporting and Social Club. He had the opportunity to represent the club and play Gaelic Football in two USGAA Championships: 1984 Boston and 1985 Chicago. He attended the founding meeting in Toronto of the Canadian Gaelic Athletic Association in 1987 and served as secretary. He has presented workshops on Gaelic Football to teachers and summer camps that introduce the games to youth. John has also served as a referee in both minor and adult games in the United States and Canada.

John resides in the City of North Vancouver, B.C. with his wife, Kathleen, and is father to Matthias, Kristiann, Kelleigh, Emily and Michael. A graduate of Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, John has taught in both denominational and non-denominational schools in Richmond (St. Paul's K-7), Powell River (Assumption K-8), (Vancouver College K-12), West Vancouver (Mulgrave K-12). North Vancouver (Holy Trinity K-7) Vancouver's OLPH K-7, North Vancouver's St. Pius X (K-7) and St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary (8-12).

John served as a Commissioner on the North Vancouver Museum and Archives Commission, is a Director of Club Operations with North Vancouver FC and serves as Vice-Chair on the North Shore Youth Soccer Association.