John J. (Jack) Lynch, age 91, of Needham MA, passed away on October 26, 2023. Jack joins his beloved wife Christine M. (Sullivan) Lynch, his son Michael J. Lynch, and his parents John J. and Margaret (Crowley) Lynch in heaven.
Jack is survived by his children John Lynch (Judy) of Southport NC, Christine Lynch O’Hurley (Neal) of Meredith, NH, Kevin Lynch (Karen) of Canton, and James Lynch of Newton; grandchildren Sarah Van Saun (Joseph) of Cary NC, Michael Lynch (Elizabeth) of Dover, Jack O’Hurley (Liza) of Santa Barbara CA, Brian Lynch (Maryellen) of Hopkinton, Allison Pedi (Michael) of Chicago IL, John Lynch (Mary-Kate) of Springfield VA, Chris O’Hurley of Los Angeles CA, Michelle Ferguson (William) of Indian Land SC, Ryan Lynch (Madeline) of Falls Church VA, Kevin Lynch of Jersey City NJ, Tricia Kana (Brett) of Portland ME, Shawn Lynch of Sandwich MA, Carli Lynch of Medfield, Jameson Lynch of Medfield, and Griffin Lynch of Needham, and great-grandchildren Cameron, Maya and Keira Van Saun, Grace, Margaret, John and Bowden Lynch, Esme and Everly Lynch, James and Eleanor Pedi, Hailey and Connor Ferguson, and Patrick Lynch.
He also leaves behind his first and best friend, brother George Lynch of Bedford, his adored sisters Marjorie Murphy of Braintree, Joan Sullivan and Jeannette Lynch of Waltham, sister-in-law Marlene Lynch of Dana Point, CA, and many devoted nieces, nephews and cousins of the Lynch, Crowley, Sullivan, Murphy, Collins, Dougherty and Burke clans. He is pre-deceased by his brothers Charles Lynch and James (Rocky) Lynch, sisters-in-law Alice Lynch, Susan Lynch, Joan McGowan and Dorothy Sullivan, and brothers-in-law John Murphy, James Sullivan, John McGowan and Robert Sullivan.
Jack was born on December 23, 1931 in Boston and was raised by his loving Irish immigrant parents in a working-class family, alongside three brothers and three sisters in a triple decker on Boylston Street in Chestnut Hill, affectionately referred to as “The Green Block”. Just down the road, Jack spent much of his teenage years caddying at The Country Club, sparking what became a lifelong passion for the game. Jack graduated from BC High in 1949 and enrolled at Boston College to pursue a B.S. degree in Industrial Management. Always fascinated with economics and philosophy, he served as an officer of the Debate Society, Religious Club, and assistant editor of the school magazine. Jack graduated cum laude with Dean’s List honors each of his eight semesters at Boston College. He was remarkably self-reliant, working throughout his undergraduate tenure as a greens-keeper at Longwood Cricket Club, a stone’s throw from the BC campus.
In 1952, Jack met Christine Sullivan, a student at the Boston College Lynch School of Education, at the annual banquet of the Philomathean Club, an esteemed fundraising organization for the school. Christine proudly told her grandchildren years later that it was she who struck up the first conversation with the rather bashful Jack. After graduating Boston College in 1953, Jack enlisted in the Navy and took his first station in Berkeley, CA with the Pacific Fleet. He and Christine missed each other dearly – Jack even more so than his stoic nature would let on. He missed his marvelously spirited Christine so much that over Christmas of his first year of service, he phoned her from some 3,000 miles away to ask her to marry him. As soon as leave would allow, Jack was back in Boston two months later to marry Christine at St. Bernard Church in Newton in February 1954. The happy couple ventured back to Berkeley while Jack completed his service in theaters of operations including Japan, Korea, the Marshall Islands and Alaska. Christine spoke very fondly of their time in the Bay Area. Eventually they returned east, briefly residing in Newport RI, where their first child, Jack Jr., was born. Jack finished his military service at the Naval Training Station, educating new and prospective officers. He was honorably discharged in 1956 as a commissioned Officer with the rank of Lieutenant, having joined the Navy just three years earlier as an Officer Apprentice. Jack was never one to fall short of his goals.
Jack and Christine returned to Brookline in 1956. Jack applied to and was accepted to the MBA program at the Harvard Business School and graduated in 1958 with two young children in tow. The Lynches made 121 Dawson Drive in Needham their permanent home, and deeply cherished the town where they raised their five children. Jack and Christine were long-time members of St. Bartholomew Parish, where Jack served as a youth coach and CYO and Boy Scout leader.
Jack was an astute and accomplished businessman, characterizing the self-determination and perseverance of his Irish ancestry. He possessed an insatiable curiosity, even in his final years. Following his degree from Harvard, Jack charted a career inspired by a continuing interest in naval technology in roles with Raytheon Company. Jack later joined the defense electronics and telecommunications company, Adams-Russell, rose quickly to the senior ranks, and ultimately became the company’s President and CEO. He facilitated the company going public and the eventual sale of the company’s electronics division to M/A-Com in the late 1980’s. Jack was the CEO for M/A-Com before retiring. Following retirement, Jack continued to work closely with family members on various business interests.
Jack displayed a zeal for life on the golf course, and treasured the many friendships he developed as a 6+ decade member of Charles River Country Club, where he served for several years as club president. Spending winters in Florida, Jack and Christine became well-loved members of Jupiter Hills Club and developed many friendships during their time spent in Jupiter. Jack served as President at Jupiter Hills Club from 1996-1998.
Some of Jack’s favorite memories were his family vacations in Disney World, European tours with the BC Class of ’53, and his many family trips to Ireland and Scotland, where he played golf with his sons, brothers and nephews. Returning to his Irish roots in Dunmanway and Donegal was always a treat. The family back home in Ireland welcomed Jack and all the relatives with true warmth and hospitality. In 1986, he and Christine invited his mother and sister Jeannette to the dedication of an Adams-Russell plant in County Cork. The groundbreaking ceremonies were officiated by the prime minister of Ireland, another John Lynch.
Jack had a particular fondness for Lake Winnipesaukee, where he and Christine enjoyed time by the water in Meredith. They began bringing their five children to the little red cottage on the lake in 1971, and over time established it as a special summer destination for their many grandchildren. Jack was a founding member of the Lakes Region Conservation Trust, which has helped protect its beautiful shore land and wildlife to this day.
Of all Jack’s titles over the years, his favorite was “Papa”. He became a grandfather at the young age of 51 and has been supportive and truly engaged in the lives of his 15 grandchildren for the last forty years. Jack delighted in the fact that the Lynch legacy was growing as his grandchildren started families of their own, with 14 great grandchildren, and another on the way. Over the years, he was always present at Baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations, sporting events, graduations, weddings and so many birthday and holiday celebrations. The advice to his grandkids and others, based on years of knowledge and practicality, usually ended with “do the right thing and be good to each other.”
In life, Jack was a champion and hero to all of his family. Now, he is their special angel to guide and protect them.
Family and friends are invited to honor and celebrate Jack's life at the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 1305 Highland Ave. Needham, on Monday, November 6th from 9 to 10:30 am. A funeral Mass will be said at St. Bartholomew's Church, 1180 Greendale Ave. Needham at 11 am. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, West Roxbury. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Jack's memory to the John J. Lynch and Margaret Crowley Lynch Scholarship Fund at Boston College High School, 150 Morrissey Blvd, Boston, MA 02125; or Good Shepherd Hospice, 160 Wells Ave., Newton, MA 02459 or Massachusetts General Hospital, Infectious Disease Department, c/o Dr. Kevin Ard, 55 Fruit Street #504, Boston, MA 02114.
The family expresses their sincere appreciation to the medical staff at MGH, particularly Dr. Kevin Ard, and to the staff at North Hill Pines Edge, and the people from Good Shepherd Hospice for their dedicated support and compassion. A special thank you to Augustine, Charity, Mary, Nahomie, Angel, Teddy, Harriet, Lenka and Emily for the care they showed Jack over the last few years.