Donald Michael Lynch
January 5, 1944 ~ June 8, 2009
Resided in:
Fairview, NC
Donald Michael Lynch died suddenly at his home in Fairview on Monday, June 8, 2009. He was 65.
Born in Detroit, MI on January 5, 1944, he was a son of the late Dr. Vincent A. Lynch and Alice J. Lynch of Fairfield, CT. He was also preceded in death by one brother, Gregory P. Lynch.
A longtime resident of Atlanta, GA, he had recently relocated to Fairview, NC with his wife, Myra Stewart Rogers Lynch, an Asheville native. They were married 41 years.
He was a graduate of Fairfield College Preparatory School and Duke University and received a Masters Degree in Business from American University. He had a long career in banking, first with Mellon Bank's commercial lending group in Pittsburgh and Atlanta and later with SunTrust Bank's commercial and investment banking group in Atlanta. He was active in sports throughout his life. He excelled in football and was a member of Fairfield Prep's 1965 state championship football team and Duke's ACC championship team in 1965. He was selected to play in the 1965 collegiate North-South All-Star game and briefly played professional football with the Washington Redskins. In his later life, he enjoyed golf, fly-fishing, gardening and working on his farm.
Don was a person of the highest personal integrity; he set high standards for himself and for others and was a strong believer in hard work and a job well done. Beloved by his family and friends and highly respected by his business colleagues, he was valued as a mentor and counselor. He will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son, two daughters and their spouses, Andrew Stewart Lynch and Rebecca Post Lynch of Savannah, GA, Alison Lynch Ferreira and Jose P. Ferreira and Megan Johnson Lynch and Todd E. Johnson, all of New York, NY; four grandchildren, Mattison Rekate Lynch and Phoebe Mckenzie Lynch of Savannah, GA and Catherine Penelope Ferreira and John Stewart Ferreira of New York, NY. He is also survived by one brother, Dr. Vincent A. Lynch and his wife, Marcia Lynch of Branford, CT; one sister, Deborah Lynch Perrigo and her husband, Scott Perrigo of Seymour, CT; one sister-in-law, Diana Creighton Lynch of Milford, CT; four nieces and two nephews, several great nieces and nephews and his mother-in-law, Myra L. Rogers of Asheville.
A funeral mass will be celebrated at 12:00 PM on Saturday, June 13, 2009 at the Basilica of St. Lawrence, DM in Asheville, NC.
The family suggests that memorial gifts be made to RiverLink (www.riverlink.org), the Basilica of St. Lawrence, DM, 97 Haywood St, Asheville, NC 28801, The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (www.mskcc.org) or to the charity of one's own choice.
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.
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We are both so shocked and deeply saddened by the news of Don’s tragic and sudden death. Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you. We send our deepest sympathy and love, Nancy and David
Popsie,We are so sad to learn that you have lost Don-he was a wonderful person.Please know that our hearts and prayers are with you and your children and we send each of you our love,Bee and Tommy Maybank
Popsie,I am so saddened to hear of Don’s sudden passing. He was great fellow and I can’t imagine your loss. My love and sympathy to all of your family. I wish I could be there for you.
To the Lynch family,
Please know that Tiffany and I are keeping you in our prayers. We pray that you will feel God’s presence and peace in this time of grieving.
I will miss Don for many reasons, including our lively conversations concerning the Duke-Carolina rivalry!! Don was a fine gentleman who I was priviliged to know! Peace and blessings!
Will
Dear Popsie and Family,
We were deeply saddened to learn of Don’s sudden death. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time.
Mary and Bob Rollauer, Atlanta
Popsie,,
You are in my prayers. I am so sorry. I pray for God’s blessings and comfort for you and your family.
Michele
Dear Megan and family,
We were so saddened to hear about the loss of your father. Please know that we are joining all those holding you all close in our hearts and prayers. Much love, and prayers for peace and comfort from all of us.
Megan and family-I am so very sad for you all. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I am so sorry I couldn’t make it to the services, but please let me know if I can do anything at all for you. Much love…
Dear Popsie, Chuck joins me in expressing our sorrow about this tragedy. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Nonie
Dear Popsie and family,
Please know that our thoughts are with you during this most difficult of times. We hold you all in our prayers and our hearts. May the peace of the Lord be with you.
Dear Popsie,
Carol and I are saddened by your tragic loss. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Jim and Carol Totten
Dear Lynch Family,
I cannot begin to put into words the lasting positive impact that Don had upon my life personally and professionally. He was a friend, a mentor, a father figure, and an inspiration. He will be missed but forever remembered and quoted. My family and I are deeply saddened by this tragedy and offer our deepest sympathy.
Popsie,
Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
With our sincere sympathy,
Bob and Lib Merrill
The Lynch Family: I am sadden to learn of your loss. One of my fondness memories of Duke football involves Don as a freshman when I was a senior. And memories last forever.
Dear Popsie and all of your family,
We were shocked and saddened by the passing of Don. We recently saw the two of you with your grandchild at church the other day. I’m glad we got one last time to touch base with you and find our how the ‘kids’ were doing. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. It is hard to lose someone so suddenly. Please know that we are praying for you all.
Khaki and Ray Lerer
Popsie and family,
You have all been in my thoughts and prayers. Don played such an important role in my life when I was a young man finding my way. He was my mentor and I looked up to him with tremendous respect. He was also a friend and confidant. I still live by much of what I learned from him. To this day, Roger and I STILL recall and recite ‘Lynchisms’ when we speak. He had that kind of impact on our lives.
–Chris
Andy and all the Lynch Family,
I remember your Dad so well and the easy laughter and kindness he had. I am so very sorry for your loss, and wish I was there to say so in person. So much love to you all, Kathryn, Steve, Maia and Roman
Popsie,
I am so very sorry for your sudden loss of your husband Don. I pray that God will give you strength during this difficult time and that the memories of the years you shared together will give you comfort.
Popsie and family, We feel honored to be counted as your friends and that we got to meet and get to know Don in the few times we were together. Luke also really connected with him and was looking forward to more outdoor projects together. God be with you as you grieve and recall the wonderful memories of his life. Love, your neighbors, John, Julie and Luke Wander
I just heard via a very long Phi Delt grapevine about Don. What a great guy he was — his picture on this website is just perfect!! A huge Texas-sized hug to you from here. I’ll light candles for both of you. boo
Dera Lynch Family, please accept our condolences for the loss of your beloved Donald. We have received several donations and numerous inquiries in his honor. We will be sending you a complete list of donors so that you may acknowledge their gifts. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Karen Cragnolin on behalf of
all your friends at RiverLink
Dear Popsie and family,Don was such a wonderful hard working man. He was always so kind to me during the short period of time that i knew him, and in that short time, it seemed like i knew him forever. My prayers are with each of you. I’m so sorry for the delay in sending my condolences, but my dad also passed away in April of this year. Family, until we see them again, may God hold you in the hollow of his hands. A friend forever, Dianna.
Don won one of the special East Campus beauties in ‘Popsie’ Rogers from Asheville. Don and I were undrafted ‘free agents’ with the Redskins and lived close by in DC as we began to find our bearings for life after football that had ended in Carlisle, PA
He was a person to count on, a fraternity brother, a friend, and I expect to meet him again on the other side.