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JOHN C. LYNCH
BURLINGTON - John C. "Jack" Lynch, 87, of Burlington, passed away on Monday, Oct. 31, 2011, in Birchwood Nursing Home. He was born in Burlington on July 21, 1924, the son of Clarence (Caddy) and Mildred (Parot) Lynch. Jack attended Cathedral Elementary and High Schools, graduating in 1942. He graduated from St. Michael's College in 1950 with a B.S. in Business Administration. He was a veteran of World War II, having served with the U.S. Army Air Corps, 20th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron in the C.B.I. Theater, achieving the rank of Corporal. He was a past member of the Knights of Columbus, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. On his 80th birthday he received the Vermont Veterans Medal and the Vermont Distinguished Service Medal for his service in a combat theater. He was elected Ward 4 Alderman in 1961 and served until 1967. He actively promoted Urban Renewal and the construction of the Beltline, sighting the emerging need for alternate access to North Avenue and other points north. He was an active proponent of permanent residential zoning for North Avenue and he was instrumental in the campaign for a single Burlington High School, centrally located, for the cities shifting student population. He was the Downtown Merchant's organizer of volunteer collectors for the Red Cross and the United Way. He was involved in little league, coaching the "Cardinals." At St. Mark's Catholic Church he was a co-captain of the Bishop's Fund at its inception until his retirement. He also ran the Raffle for the St. Mark's Annual Lawn Party for 25 years. He lived a life of service to church and community. He was a 31 year employee of Sears Roebuck & Company. While employed there, he primarily managed the men's departments and was responsible for training of all new sales employees. He also served four years as the Advertising Manager when the store was located on Church Street. Always the life of any party, he was interested in making every stranger a friend. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, ping pong, cards, playing pool and relaxing in his swimming pool and standing on a soap box. He enjoyed 20 years of warmer weather in Inverness, Fla., but always called Burlington his home. On June 20, 1949, he married Louise A. DesVergnes in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. He is survived by his wife, Louise, of Burlington and their seven children and families, Patrick Lynch and Susan of Whispering Pines, N.C., Steven Lynch and Janice of Fairfax, Karen Lynch- Harmon and Sidney of Essex, Janet (Lynch) and Paul Schweizer of Keene, N.H., Sarah Lynch of Essex, Susan (Lynch) and Jeffrey McDonald of Charlotte and Jean Lynch of South Burlington; their nineteen grandchildren, Dr. Thomas Cochran (Dr. Alexis Cochran), Justin Bessette (Lan Vu), James Cochran, Rebecca Lynch, Andrew Harmon (Amy Norrman), Carolyn (Lynch) Eyer (Dan), Amy Cochran, Dr. Jonathan Bessette and fiancee, Alexis Coplin, Ross Harmon and fiancee, Amy Taylor, Christopher Lynch and fiancee, Eileen O'Sullivan, Joanna (Jojo) Lynch, Timothy Lynch, Bridget Hennessey, Shannon Hennessey, Tyler McDonald, Erin Hennessey, Ethan McDonald, Samuel Schweizer (Katie) and Robert Schweizer; and three precious great-grand- children, Madeline Bessette, Eli Cochran and Cassidy Eyer. He is also survived by his sister-in law, Theresa McLaughlin, formerly of Burlington. He is survived by many nieces and nephews and close cousins and former daughter-in-law, Mary Guinness Lynch. He was predeceased by his parents; one granddaughter, Ila Anne Pollard; one brother, Robert E. Lynch and his wife, Mary K. Lynch; two stepbrothers, Kenneth and Bernard Hayes; and a brother-in-law, Earle (Buzz) McLaughlin. The family would like to thank Dr. Gene Moore and the compassionate and caring staff at Birchwood Nursing Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, Nov. 4, 2011. at 10 a.m. in St. Mark's Catholic Church with interment to follow in Resurrection Park Cemetery, South Burlington. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the Ready Funeral and Cremation Service, South Chapel, 261 Shelburne Road. To send online condolences, please visit www.readyfuneral.com (http://www.readyfuneral.com). In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Boys & Girls Club of Burlington, 62 Oak St., Burlington, VT 05401 or the Sara Holbrook Community Center, 66 North Ave., Burlington, VT 05401.