Death at 81 of former councillor John

A former Scarborough councillor and successful engineer who worked on projects all over the world has died.

John Flinton, 81, was a beloved husband, dearly-loved father, and cherished grandad.

He was born and brought up in Scarborough; his father was a soldier and his mother ran a home for abandoned girls.

He was a member of the Scouts and a choirboy at St Mary’s Church.

Mr Flinton studied at Scarborough Boys’ High School before starting engineering training in Middlesbrough.

He started as a structural engineer in London but found he preferred civil engineering and went on to have a career which would see him leading projects across the globe.

His posts included Senior Engineer at a military hospital in Jordan, Contracts Manager in South Africa and Chief Engineer for the Ministry of Defence in Oman.

Mr Flinton married Hilary in 1964 and they went on to have two sons, Matthew and Adam.

He was a long-standing member of the East India Club and particularly enjoyed the members club table where they “chewed the fat” and swapped stories.

When he retired, he became a Scarborough councillor and worked on several of the council’s committees.

“We travelled the world for work and pleasure, seeing wonderful things,” said Mrs Flinton.

She said he loved trees and his farm at Wrench Green, but most of all he loved his family and took good care of them.

“Our sons have provided incredible loving help and support and I cannot express how grateful I am to them,” Mrs Flinton said.

“The response from our friends and the local community has been wonderful.”