William F Lynch Jr's Obituary
William F. Lynch, of Falmouth, MA and North Fort Myers, FL, passed away on April 24, 2025 in North Fort Myers, FL. He was the devoted husband of Joan (Ingraham) Lynch for 66 years and the loving father of Robert, Kathleen Mills, John, and Christopher.
Born in Boston on December 12, 1934, to Gertrude V. and William F. Lynch, he enjoyed an active childhood with his beloved younger brother, Robert. He was a proud graduate of Hyde Park High School, where he found great success and joy on the basketball court and the baseball diamond. As an usher at the Oriental Theater in Mattapan, he met the love of his life, Joan Ingraham, then of Milton. He earned a degree in Mathematics at Boston College where he participated in ROTC and developed a life-long love of The Heights.
After serving his country in the US Army as a First Lieutenant, he embarked on a career in the defense industry as a Systems Engineer at Mitre Corporation. He and his wife Joan raised their four children in Concord, MA. They were devoted parishioners of Our Lady Help of Christians and enjoyed many hours on the tennis court at The Thoreau Club. In 1996 they designed and built their dream retirement home in Falmouth, MA, where they hosted many years of joyful family gatherings.
William was a true family man – he loved playing tennis, basketball and golf with his children and grandchildren, and he relished time spent working in the yard with his many helpers (including four lazy basset hounds). He was a passionate supporter of Boston sports, but he had a special devotion to the Celtics, whom he followed unwaveringly, even when they weren’t very good. In his later years, he developed a passion for golf, diligently refining his swing and working on his game on Cape Cod and in Florida. For over 20 years, he enthusiastically served as Commissioner of the Ballymeade Men’s Golf League.
William is survived by his wife Joan Lynch, of Falmouth, MA and North Fort Myers, FL; his children, Robert Lynch (Maureen), of Needham, MA, Kathleen Mills (Brian), of Windham, NH, John Lynch (Ellen) of Mansfield, MA, and Christopher Lynch (Christina), of Franklin, MA; his eight grandchildren, Shannon Mills, Brianna Mills, Erin Lynch, Jack Lynch, Billy Lynch, Cate Lynch, John Lynch, and Grace Lynch; his sisters-in-law Nanette Lynch, Patricia Needham, and Mary Donoghue; his brother-in-law Thomas Donoghue; as well as many loving nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Robert Lynch, and his sister-in-law Helen St. Peter.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, May 4, 2025 from 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM at Chapman Funerals and Cremations, 74 Algonquin Ave. (RTE 151), Mashpee, MA 02649. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, May 5, 2025 at 10:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton Church, 481 Quaker Rd., North Falmouth, MA 02556. Burial will immediately follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, 427 Gifford St., Falmouth, MA 02540.
In lieu of flowers, donations in William’s memory may be made to the following organizations: St. Joseph Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, 167 E. Falmouth Hwy., E. Falmouth, MA 02536 or online at www.falmouthcatholic.org/online-giving or to Friends of Falmouth Dogs, P.O. Box 438, Falmouth, MA, or online at www.friendsoffalmouthdogs.org/howtohelp.
For online guestbook and directions please visit www.chapmanfuneral.com.
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