James Lynch Obituary

James A. Lynch Jr, 81 of Melrose, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday December 16, 2011 after a series of declining health issues. He was the loving and devoted husband of 56 years of Eileen (MacVarish) Lynch. Born in Medford on August 2, 1930, he was the son of the late James A. Sr. & Beatrice (Delaney) Lynch. A graduate of Malden Catholic High School, Class of 1948 and Boston College Class of 1953. Mr. Lynch was a long time communicant at the Church of the Incarnation in Melrose. He was an Insurance Broker and the Chairman of the Board of the Garrett-Lynch Insurance Agency in Davis Square, Somerville, MA. He had a giant personality and loved to meet and talk and tell stories. He had a great concern for his clients and was never shy about advocating for a customer of the Garrett-Lynch Insurance Agency. His sons Jay and David and daughter Linda will continue as second generation owners of the agency. His secretary Penny and loyal staff remain after many, many years. Jim loved the Insurance business and never really retired. He was a 'federally recognized 'Brigadier General in the United States Army, and a retired Major General of the Massachusetts National Guard, Past Military Aide to Governors Peabody and King. He was a 56 year Life member and Past Captain Commander of the Ancient & Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts and in 1978 led the Company to London, England and Brussels, Belgium. A member of the 100 Club, Us Armed Forces Assn., the Mass Chiefs of Police Assn., Easter Seals of Massachusetts, former Board of Director for the USO and director and coordinator of various civic and religious charity fund drives. He was the loving and devoted father of James A. Lynch III and his wife Margaret of Quincy, Linda Lynch Shaughnessy and her husband Patrick of Medford, Christopher E. Lynch and his wife Maureen of Woburn, David E. Lynch and his wife Kerry of Melrose and Janet E. Lynch Csrnko and her husband Christopher of Hingham. Also survived by one dear brother Gregory R. Lynch of Saratoga, CA. He was the loving grandfather of 13 grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Wednesday, December 21 at 10AM at the Church of the Incarnation 429 Upham St. Melrose, MA . Interment with full military honors followed at Wyoming Cemetery Melrose, MA.