The story of Bay Roberts is one of an ordinary people who lived through a turbulent and extraordinary past. Adventure, murder, religious strife, inventions, successful local newspapers, and enterprise make up the collective history of a community thriving in Newfoundland today. The town has hosted tragedies, unprecedented commercial prosperity (and failure), famous sea captains, buried treasure, ancient tombstones, and intriguing grave markers. Stories of eccentric characters, war heroes, and horrible shipwrecks fill these pages. The town has a fascinating link to the Titanic tragedy, was a central hub in communications and international connections for government leaders during World War II, and is the home and birthplace of many famous poets, novelists, businessmen, and politicians.
The mission of this Historic series is to bring to light the ageless character of Newfoundland and Labrador communities in an effort to preserve the history of this province and to educate future generations about this corner of the global village. Bay Roberts: Not Your Typical Small Town is the third instalment in this series.

Michael Flynn was born in Bay Roberts and is the third of six children. He received his early education at St. Michael’s primary/elementary school and All Hallows Central High and then attended Memorial University of Newfoundland for five years and graduated with bachelor degrees in education and science.He taught school for thirty-two years at Northern Bay, Brent’s Cove, Brigus, and Bay Roberts and worked part-time in journalism for such newspapers as the Compass, the Evening Telegram, the Independent, and the Bay Roberts quarterly Klondyke Gazette. Michael’s passion for history was born when he was asked to contribute a weekly local history column for the Compass. The research for these articles led to a long-time friendship with David (D. B.) Russell, former editor of the Bay Roberts Guardian, who generously gave him unlimited access to the Guardian files. A tireless volunteer, he has served as chairman of the Bay Roberts Recreation Commission, the town’s tourism committee, the youth justice committee and various sports groups. Michael is the father of three children—Ian, Michelle, and Frankie—and now resides in St. John’s with his spouse, Patricia.

Michael F. Flynn's profile page