Raymond F. Lynch

Raymond Francis Lynch, beloved husband, father, educator, and friend, passed away on Monday, December 5, 2022, at the age of 98. The only child of Anne (McKay) and James Lynch, he was born on May 9, 1924, in North Adams, MA, 3 ½ weeks after the birth of his future wife, Ann Patricia Harcourt. Each year, the short period during which he was “a year” younger was celebrated with mischievous glee.
Raymond and Ann attended all twelve grades at St. Joseph School in North Adams together, graduating in 1941. Enlistment in the U.S. Navy led Raymond to a vagabond college career that would include St. Anselm, St. Bonaventure, and Middlebury Colleges, and then on to active duty as a Signalman on an LCI in the Pacific during WWII. He was a card-carrying member of the Order of the Alligators, only snapping when riled. Vivid memories of shipmates from nearly every city and town across the country followed him always.
Following his discharge from the Navy, Raymond returned to North Adams and married Ann on June 21, 1947. He graduated from North Adams State Teachers College in 1950 and began his career at Acushnet Avenue School in Springfield. After eight years in the classroom and completion of a Master’s Degree in Education from Springfield College, he became Principal of Eastern Avenue and School Street Schools prior to accepting the opportunity to open the new Margaret C. Ells School in 1960. By the time of his retirement in 1987, he had seen the school through multiple grade configurations, incorporation of Head Start and Special Education programs, and the development of community outreach and support activities. He participated in curriculum assessment, teacher recruitment and training, and mentoring of new administrators in the Springfield School System.
The Lynch family’s move to East Longmeadow in 1952 led to decades of involvement in community activities, including youth baseball and hockey, American Legion baseball, the Annual 4th of July Parade Committee, and the East Longmeadow Scholarship Committee. His support for ELHS sports teams extended well past his children’s participation, lasting throughout Ann’s 20-year teaching career at the school. A devout Catholic, he was an Altar Server at St. Francis Church in North Adams and a Eucharistic Minister, Bishop’s Appeal Chairman, Parish Council member, CCD teacher, and RCIA Advisor in East Longmeadow. He was a choir member in both parishes.
To his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the “Other Brothers” and “Other Sisters” included in our family without formal relationship, Raymond’s unwavering love and support were his most precious gifts. His memory will be cherished by Mary (Joseph) Etter of South Windsor, CT; Marcia (David) Weekes of Clinton, CT; Timothy (Diane) Lynch of Naples, FL; Martin (Meghan) Lynch of East Longmeadow, and Matthew (Denise) Lynch of Stafford Springs, CT; Justin, Johanna, Jacob, Sam, Michael, Benjamin, Henry, Kaitlin, Zachary, Michael, Coty, Brandon, Sara, Owen, and Colin; as well as cousins Doris Spofford, Jackie Battersby, Nancy (Don) Mackson, Vaughan Abbott, and extended family in the US and England. He was pre-deceased by his infant son, Joseph.
Calling hours will be held on Sunday, December 11, from 2 – 4 p.m. at the Wilbraham Funeral Home, 2551 Boston Road, Wilbraham, MA 01095. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, December 12, at St. Michael’s Church, followed by burial at Billings Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Raymond’s memory may be made to St. Michael’s Parish, 128 Maple St., East Longmeadow, MA 01028.