James Norman Flynn, World War II Veteran

James Norman Flynn, whose experiences as a merchant seaman during World War II included being a prisoner of war for a short time and being presumed dead when he was found on the coast of Yugoslavia after his ship hit a mine, died on June 18 at his brother’s home in Fort Myers, Fla. He was 92 and had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Mr. Flynn lived in Sag Harbor for many years, where he owned Captain Biru’s Nautical Antiques for about 15 years in addition to a shop of that name in Manhattan.

Mr. Flynn was in the merchant marine from 1940 to 1955, leaving the service as a captain. He was on two ships that were torpedoed by U-boats in the North Atlantic, and was taken prisoner after one of the strikes. His family said he was released to a neutral country after two weeks. Later in the war, after his ship struck a mine, he was found caked with ice and thought to be dead. It was then learned that he had tuberculosis, and he spent 18 months recovering.

 Mr. Flynn lived in Panama for about five years after leaving the merchant marine. Returning to the United States, he opened antiques shops in Manhattan and Sag Harbor, where he was well known in the 1960s and ’70s.

He was born on Feb. 27, 1924, in Dublin, to James and Isabella Flynn and came to this country with his parents and an older brother at the age of 10. Sylvia Bell Pennebaker of Sag Harbor, who was his companion for many years, died in 1999. He often spent time with her daughter, Stacy, taking her out for tea and giving her presents, and later became fond of his companion’s granddaughter, Molly.

Mr. Flynn kept a 28-foot cabin cruiser in Sag Harbor waters, called Evita. He loved reading, particularly history and biography, and amassed a fine library, his family said.

He moved to Fort Myers two years ago and is survived by the brother with whom he lived, Patrick Flynn, as well as a nephew and three nieces. He was cremated and a full military service is to be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a time to be determined. Memorial donations have been suggested to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105.