History of TFL

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In Business for Over

75 Years

Our experience and business education are two of the main components that create the framework of The Flying Locksmiths leadership team. It began with William McMenimon working out of his Jeep with one key machine in 1946. He was training to become a pilot and working as a locksmith, hence the reason for the unusual name. He opened a small key shop in Boston and later moved to the nearby suburbs. When William retired, he passed the business down to his four sons; all of whom have moved on with the exception of Barry L McMenimon, who expanded the company into the highly recognizable business it is today! Barry’s sons, Brett and Barry P – the third generation – have expanded the company by franchising it’s business model and infusing the well-established family business with the convenience of modern technology.

The combination of generations has created a blend of old-school ideals and new age technology, resulting in a mix that offers the newest products with a friendly neighborly smile. The mission of the company is simple: provide top of the line security, utilizing all means of communication, while staying true to family values.

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  • IN BUSINESS FOR OVER 70 YEARS
  • SEVEN+ DECADES OF LOCKSMITH EXPERIENCE AND BUSINESS EDUCATION
  • MOST RESPECTED LOCKSMITH SERVICES COMPANY THROUGHOUT THE US
  • THREE GENERATIONS INVOLVED IN EVERY ASPECT OF THE OPERATION
  • BLEND OF OLD SCHOOL IDEALS AND NEW AGE TECHNOLOGY
  • OFFERING THE NEWEST PRODUCTS WITH A FRIENDLY NEIGHBORLY SMILE
  • IN ADDITION TO LOCKSMITH SERVICES WE OFFER ACCESS CONTROL & SECURITY CAMERA SYSTEMS, AUTOMATIC DOORS OPERATORS & MORE!
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About The Founder of TFL

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William Richard McMenimon


  • Born: May 16, 1922
  • Education: High School
  • Children: 6 (Bill, Bob, Barry, Brad, Kelly, Tracy)
  • Grandchildren: 12
  • Military: 5 years (stationed at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor)
  • Tank commander who saw combat in the South Pacific during WWII
  • After WWII he used his GI Bill to get his pilot's license while working as a locksmith
  • Started The Flying Locksmiths in 1946 in Boston, MA
  • President of the Massachusetts Locksmiths Association
  • Loved to sing and dance (he and his wife Jean were always on the dance floor!)
  • Avid golfer (member of Seven Springs Country Club in Port Richey, FL)
  • Self taught musician (guitar, piano, banjo, harmonica)
  • Passed away June 18, 2000

An original letter from William to his Mom after the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii


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Dear Mom,

Well it finally started yesterday morning. I was in bed when we heard all the planes flying around, at first we thought it was a show battle but when we heard the bullets hitting the roof we knew it was the real thing. I must congratulate the 19th on their coolness under fire.

Captain Chapman was the first man in the regiment to open fire. He got up on the roof of his company and was firing a machine gun at them with it in his arms while somebody set up a tripod to put it on.

They evacuated all the women and children to Honolulu last night and it was pretty rugged with all the children crying.

The company went into the field last night but myself and a few more men were left behind to the blackout guards. I have a rifle, a pistol, a gas mask, bayonet, and all the ammunition I can carry and I am quite all right so please don’t worry about me.

I will write as often as I can so remember don’t worry.

Love,
Bill

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William McMenimon - Images of a War Hero, a Father, a  Grandfather, and a Great Friend  !


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