John Joseph 'Jack' Lynch

John "Jack" Joseph Lynch passed away on May 12, 2016 at The Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria, B.C. Jack was born in Queens, New York on March 13, 1933. He grew up in College Point, N.Y. He was the oldest of six children. He attended St. Fidelis Parochial School and Flushing High School. Jack's college education was put on hold while he served two years in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955 and was stationed in Seoul during the Korean Conflict.
Upon his discharge from the service, Jack became a dance instructor for Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Flushing, N.Y., which is how he paid for his college education. In addition to dance, Jack was active in the theater and had a wonderful singing voice.
He was a born teacher. Being the oldest of six children, he spent time helping his youngest siblings learn many things from how to swim, ride a bike, math, and science. . His first teaching position was at St. Barthlomews Catholic School in Astoria, N.Y.
In 1970's Jack became active in the Catholic Worker Movement in New York. He lived and worked on communal farm where he continued to teach. Jack met and married Penny Dexter in Perth, Ontario, Canada. During this period of Jack's life he helped establish a cooperative education program involving all age levels to accommodate each child's learning ability. Penny and Jack later separated. Jack returned to the Catholic Worker effort and it was there that he met his longtime friend, Margaret Reilly. They eventually moved to Charlottetown, P.E. I.. Together they enjoyed many outdoor activities, including biking, hiking, kayaking and camping. In the early 1990s Margaret and Jack moved to Victoria, B.C. Jack became involved in many community performing arts projects. He performed in theater productions and participated for many years in the annual presentation "The Messiah". Jack continued to be a teacher hosting foreign students attending Universities in Victoria and assisting them with their studies. In later years Jack had a series of serious health problems due to complications from diabetes which resulted in the amputation of both his legs in 2008. He spent months at the Gorge Hospital recuperating and in therapy. In 2010 he became a resident of the Cridge Senior Centre. He was committed to remaining as independent as possible. During his years at the Cridge he continued to participate in community events and attend cultural performances. He enjoyed his fellow residents and engaging with them about their lives and interests. One of his main pleasures at the Cridge was its beautiful campus and surroundings. His favorite pasttime was engaging with the children during recess. Jack had a natural knack with the little ones.
Jack loved baseball. He was one of the New York Yankees most loyal fans for many years. Jack is survived by his sisters, Patricia (Patty) Lynch of Kew Gardens, N.Y. and Carolyn Craig of Battle Ground, WA. He was predeceased by his parents, two brothers and one sister. Tributes and memories can be shared by visiting www.earthsoption.com Contributions in Jack's remembrance can be made for the benefit of The Cridge Village Seniors Centre, at 1307 Hillside Ave V8T 0A2 or to a charity of the donor's choice.

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