Lynch, Charles Edward Sr. (“Chuck”), 77, surrounded by his loving family, wife and five children, passed away at his home in Dana Point, CA on Monday, May 13, 2013, from multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer affecting the bone marrow; a disease he fought valiantly for the past ten years. His legacy is a passion for life that he enthusiastically shared with everyone he met, and which defined the tenor of each and every relationship that he so deeply cherished. Charles was a larger than life persona; his smile, brilliant blue eyes and hallmark Irishman’s whisper created a presence even bigger than his 6’3″ stature.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marlene Isabelle (Zammarchi) Lynch; his five children, Colleen (Jim) Wegner, Chuck Jr (Carrie), Caroline (Michael) Wheeler, Julianne (Jim) Lynch-Daniels and Steven; his seven grandchildren Kendra, Rachael, Matthew, Isabella, Carley, Oliver and Elliana; his brothers, George (Alice) and John; his sisters, Margorie Murphy, Joan (Jim) Sullivan and Jeanette; his sister-in-law, Susan; and twenty adoring nieces and nephews from the Lynch clan.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Margaret; his brother, James; his brother-in-law, Jack Murphy and his sister-in-law, Christine.
Charles was born on June 22, 1935 in Boston, MA, into an extraordinary family of Irish immigrants where he learned the true meaning of family and hard work. Coincidentally, his wife, Marlene was born on the same day and year in Boston, MA. They met while Chuck was attending Boston College High School where Chuck was a gifted athlete, playing football, hockey and baseball, known to have the “best hands”. Charles graduated from Boston College in 1957 with great pride in his Jesuit education and strong Catholic faith. Chuck and Marlene married on July 27, 1957 in Somerville, MA. He was commissioned into the Marine Corp and he and Marlene moved from Quantico, VA to 29 Palms, CA to Camp LeJuene, NC with young Colleen Jean and Chuck Jr. After three years, he ended his active duty as a Captain and moved back to Burlington, MA where Sweet Caroline and Julianne were born. But the traveling adventures of Chuck’s life were just beginning.
The family moved to Mt Prospect. IL in 1966 where Chuck was a Regional Sales Manager for Delmark and Doyle Pharmaceuticals. Steven, the greatest gift of all, arrived in 1970. Chuck and his family lived in Mt Prospect for sixteen years where they developed the most valuable and enduring friendships, as Chuck was always the life of the party. He left an indelible mark on this community by creating the Mt Prospect Invitational aka the Chuck Lynch Open, a golf tournament that has run for 46 years since its inception.
In 1981, Charles moved the family to Wayzata, MN on Lake Minnetonka’s Maxwell Bay, as he was promoted to Vice President of Sales with Sandoz Nutrition (formerly Delmark and Doyle). Though Chuck, Marlene, Julianne and Steven only spent six years in MN, it was God’s country despite the long, snowy winters on a frozen lake. The family excursions on the boat made Chuck realize that he belonged on the golf course, whereby he joined Hazeltine National Golf Club, the site of many memorable rounds golfing with Chuck Jr.
In 1987, Chuck, Marlene and Steven headed to sunny Southern California where Chuck began a new venture as Vice President, Sales and Marketing for Comprehensive Care in Irvine, CA and then Surgical Funding in Newport Beach, CA. Once again, Chuck found the most amazing place to live just up a hill from the Pacific Ocean. “Location, location, location”, Chuck would often say. And it was always, “Blue on Blue” in Dana Point, CA – another one of Chuck’s many sayings that illustrated how he lived his life. The glass was always full and Chuck’s positive attitude and charisma for life kept growing. Once Chuck landed in Southern, CA he knew he was never leaving. Here he reconnected with his Marine Corp beginnings and spent time at Camp Pendelton, golfing on the Marine base now with his grandchildren and many new golfing buddies. He also became a loyal LA Laker fan – sorry Boston but it’s true. His love of the game was contagious and there was nothing better than watching a game with Chuck or spending the day at the track. Though he never won “big”, the experience with Chuck was priceless.
Most importantly, however, at this time in his life came grandchildren. Chuck was truly a remarkable father and had a unique and rewarding relationship with each of his five children. But in the role of grandfather, he even shined more brightly, imparting his wisdom in a fun and meaningful way. Every Christmas, Spring Break and summer vacation were spent at Beach Grammie’s and Grampa Chuck’s house. He made countless trips back to Chicago, Minneapolis and Chapel Hill to visit and be present for major events in each grandchild’s life but if he couldn’t make the trip, he’d write them all countless letters and called them often for a lively conversation. He definitely had the gift of gab and spoke to everyone he’d meet. He shared with his children, grandchildren and his entire extended family and friends the importance of education and a continuous quest for lifelong learning which was evident in his daily perusal of the Wall Street Journal. Chuck had a true passion for politics and what is fair and just and enjoyed engaging in debates between Republicans and Democrats, eloquently expressing his conservative point of view. He began sharing his newsletters to spread the word on all things political or to complain about the game or just to say hello. He had hope to write a book one day about his personal journey through life, “You can’t make this stuff up – you have got to live it” and “live it” he did.
“Be Good”, “Be Well”, and “Be Careful” is often how Charles said goodbye. He valued life and the gifts he had been given and enjoyed every day of his life.
Visitation on Wednesday, May 22nd from 5 pm – 8 pm at George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 1308 Highland Ave, Needham, MA. Funeral services on Thursday, May 23rd at 11 am at St Mary’s of the Assumption in the St Lawrence Chapel in Brookline, MA followed by interment at St Joseph’s Cemetery in Boston, MA. A reception at Charles River Country Club to immediately follow the burial.
The Lynch Family would like to thank the entire staff of physicians, nurses and caregivers at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, CA, especially Dr. Carabulea, for all their efforts in going the extra mile during these last few weeks.
Memorials to City of Hope Multiple Myeloma Foundation can be made in Charles E Lynch’s name/Multiple Myeloma – PO Box 513477 Los Angeles, CA 90051-3477. Chuck was a game changer in this fight aga inst multiple myeloma, more than doubling his expected survival. He was blessed.
