AUBURN-John F. “Jack” Lynch, 81, of Auburn, a retired Worcester Firefighter, died Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at UMASS Memorial Medical Center after a brief illness. He was predeceased by his wife of 45 years, Shirley A. (Clark) Lynch who died April 18, 2002.
Jack is survived by four sons, Michael J. Lynch of Auburn, John F. Lynch, Jr. and his wife Terese of Auburn, James P. Lynch and his wife Arlette of Worcester and Robert S. Lynch of Auburn; three daughters, Anne M. Clark and her husband Thomas of Auburn, Deborah J. Campbell and her husband Ralph of Oxford and Kathleen E. St. Denis and her husband Norm of Sturbridge; 11 grandchildren, Michael Lynch and his wife Jennifer, Kerri Clark, Nicholas Lynch and his wife Katelyn, Thomas J. Clark, Jr., Joseph Clark and his fiancée Samantha Raddatz, Sarah Lynch, Andrew Campbell, Patrick Lynch, David St. Denis, Sydney St. Denis, and Matthew St. Denis. He also leaves four great grandchildren, Ryan, Mason, Camden and Olivia Lynch; a sister, Patricia M. Brown and her husband Jack of Worcester and many nieces and nephews. Jack was predeceased by three sisters, Ann M. Roukat in 2007, Eileen Cronin in 1994 and Mary T. “Bunny” Sutherland in 2006.
He was born in Worcester, son of Irish immigrants Cornelius and Mary B. (Scannell) Lynch and graduated from St. Peter’s High School in 1952. He is a Navy veteran of the Korean War. Jack served 31 years on the Worcester Fire Department, retiring in 1997 from Engine 10 on Park Avenue. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Church, Worcester Lodge of Elks, Main South American Legion Post 341 and the International Association of Firefighters-Local 1009. Jack enjoyed decorating his home for the holidays, working in his yard and “peddling” flowers for Gatto’s Florist.
The funeral will be held on Friday, September 18 from CALLAHAN FAY & CASWELL Funeral Home, 61 Myrtle Street, Worcester with a Mass at 10:00 am at St. Joseph’s Church, 189 Oxford Street, Auburn. Burial will follow at Notre Dame Cemetery. Visiting hours are Thursday, September 17 from 4-7 pm in the funeral home.
Flowers may be sent or donations may be made to Boston Children’s Hospital Trust, 401 Park Dr., Suite 602, Boston, MA 02215.