Oct

In Memoriam: John E. Lynch, Sr.

John E. Lynch, Sr.
Feb. 15, 1938 – Oct. 26. 2019

John Edward “Jack” Lynch, Sr. died at his residence in Aldie, Va., Oct. 26. He was 80.

John Edward “Jack” Lynch, Sr.

Mr. Lynch retired in 1993 after a long career as a cabinet maker and fabricator with the American History Museum. He was an active fire and rescue volunteer beginning in 1966 and a lifetime member of the Arcola-Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, Company 9, after his retirement. He also was an active member of the Leesburg, Va., Moose Lodge.

Mr. Lynch’s association with the Smithsonian was something of a family affair: His brother, Joseph E. Lynch, Jr., (who died in 1976),also began his career as an exhibit fabricator at the American History Museum, becoming the first chief of production for the then-new Office of Exhibits Central (now known as Smithsonian Exhibits.) Joseph’s daughter, Tina Lynch, began her career at the Smithsonian in 1987 and is a senior exhibit designer with Smithsonian Exhibits.

“I spent much of my youth in the fabrication shop of AHB making cutouts,” Tina Lynch recalls. “I had the opportunity to work with some of the fabricators there both before and after my uncle’s retirement. I also went with on work trips with my dad when he worked at the National Zoo and during down time I could be found climbing Mr. Beasley, the famous triceratops. It brought back a lot of fond memories when Mr. Beasley came to the SIE model shop at our Pennsy facility for repairs before finding a new home at the Zoo a few years ago.”

Joseph Lynch (far left) and colleague Pat Smith (far right) with NASA astronaut Clark McClellan at the Air and Space Museum. (Photo courtesy of Tina Lynch)

Jack. Lynch was born in Washington, D.C., the son of the late Joseph Edward Lynch, Sr., and Marion Gabriella Bryan Lynch. In addition to his parents, Mr. Lynch is preceded in death by his siblings: Joseph E. Lynch, Jr.; Patricia L. Chupp; Diane L. Jurik; and Donald Lynch.

He is survived by his loving wife, Betty L. Harless Lynch; children John Edward Lynch, Jr., and wife Mary, of Orlando, Fla.; Richard Bryan Lynch of Warrenton, Va.; Dorothy Ellen Heskett McCarthy and husband Robert, of Warrenton, Va; Barbara Sue Lynch Aubrey and husband Donald, of Aldie, Va.; Robert Jackson Lynch and wife June, of Billings, Mont.;Charles Eugene Lynch of Aldie, Va.; many grandchildren, great- grandchildren, nieces and nephews; and sisters Jill L. Cocchiaro; Kay L. Greiser; Claudia L. McGowan; Adelaide L. Summitt; Suzanne L. Frezelle and Donna L. Perkins..

The family will receive friends at Pierce Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 9609 Center Street, Manassas, Va., on Thursday, Nov. 1,from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., where funeral services will be held on Friday, Nov. 2, at 2:00 p.m. Interment will be at Harless Family Cemetery in Pearisburg, Va., on Monday, Nov. 5, at 1:30 p.m.