John P. Lynch, 81, of Providence Pike, North Smithfield, passed away Monday, June 6, 2016. He was the beloved husband of Eleanor (Fry) Lynch. They had been married for 54 years. Born in Pawtucket, he was a son of the late William J. and Anna (Collins) Lynch.
Besides his wife he is survived by his children: Mary Ellen Forty and her husband, Karl of Westford, MA; Therese Lunt and her husband, Steven of Shrewsbury, MA; Daniel P. Lynch and his wife, Maryann Mullin-Lynch of Rumford and Matthew J. Lynch and his wife, Maureen of Attleboro; his ten grandchildren; a brother, Rev. Cornelius B. Lynch of Pawtucket; and his sister-in-law, Mary Jane Fry of Providence. He was pre-deceased by brothers William J. and Dennis M. Lynch.
Mr. Lynch was a partner in the former William J. Lynch & Sons Real Estate & Insurance Company and the Lynch, Beretta, Bucci, LLP Insurance Agency in Pawtucket.
John was an active member of St. Michael’s Church where he was a lector and Religious Education teacher. John was a State Representative, Smithfield District #57, Past Grand Knight, Delaney Council, Knights of Columbus, Past Treasurer of the Blackstone Valley Association of Independent Insurance Agents, and a former member of the Pawtucket Rotary Club. While a Rotarian he was instrumental in changing the by-laws to allow female Membership in the Rotary Club.
Mr. Lynch was a 1952 graduate of St. Raphael Academy and attended the University of Louvain in Belgium and Providence College. He enjoyed golf and traveling with his family.
His sharp wit and humor were cherished by many and will be missed by all who knew him. The earth will be a lesser place without him, but it will make Heaven more attractive for the rest of us.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday at 9:30am in St. Michael’s Church, 80 Farnum Pike, Smithfield. Visitation Thursday 4-7pm in the Anderson-Winfield Funeral Home, Rt 44 at Greenville Common, Greenville. Burial will follow in St. Ann’s Cemetery, Cranston. In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory may be made to Mt. St. Mary’s Abbey, 300 Arnold Street, Wrentham, MA 02903.