John Lynch passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family on Saturday, May 28, 2011, his 97th birthday. He was born in Newark, N.J. and grew up in the Raritan Bay shore town of Union Beach, where in October of 1929 he earned the rank of Eagle Scout. The Scouts honored him with a flag raising-ceremony at his home in Merritt Island, Fl on the occasion of his 95th birthday and the 80th anniversary of achieving Eagle Scout., the highest rank in scouting.
Vice President Joe Biden, in a congratulatory letter said, “I heard you may be the
longest surviving Eagle Scout in America – this is truly an honor.”
John used the skills and knowledge he acquired in his quest for Eagle when he had to leave school during the Great Depression to help support his family. His Eagle status helped John gain entrance into the Merchant Marine Academy, where he became an Ensign. He served aboard the Liberty ships that crossed the Atlantic bringing supplies to the troops in Europe during WWII.
After the war he lived with his family in Springfield, N.J. and later Berkeley Heights, N.J. He was a proud member of the Berkeley Heights BPOE Elks Lodge #2392. He worked as an agent for John Hancock Insurance Company until he retired in 1977. He and his wife of 61 years, Florence, moved to Merritt Island, Florida in 1979.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Florence, and son, John, of Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. and his brother Thomas, of Hillside, N.J. He is survived by his daughter Patricia Basalone (husband Daniel) of Oakland Park, Fl, and his two sons, Thomas (wife Deborah), of Pottersville N.J., and Kenneth (wife Debra), of Cocoa Beach, Fl., 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his 2 sisters, Catherine Doyle of Union, N.J. and Jane McConnell of Piscataway, N.J., many nieces and nephews, and by his good friend and caregiver, Conrad J. Wohltmann.
The family greatly appreciated the support and comfort provided by Health First Hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Health First Hospice, 200 S. Courtenay Prky., Merritt Island, Fl., 32952.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at 1pm at Brevard Memorial Gardens In Cocoa, Fl. Followed funeral services and interment.
John Lynch passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family on Saturday, May 28, 2011, his 97th birthday. He was born in Newark, N.J. and grew up in the Raritan Bay shore town of Union Beach, where in October of 1929 he earned the rank of Eagle Scout. The Scouts honored him with a flag raising-ceremony at his home in Merritt Island, Fl on the occasion of his 95th birthday and the 80th anniversary of achieving Eagle Scout., the highest rank in scouting.
Vice President Joe Biden, in a congratulatory letter said, “I heard you may be the
longest surviving Eagle Scout in America – this is truly an honor.”
John used the skills and knowledge he acquired in his quest for Eagle when he had to leave school during the Great Depression to help support his family. His Eagle status helped John gain entrance into the Merchant Marine Academy, where he became an Ensign. He served aboard the Liberty ships that crossed the Atlantic bringing supplies to the troops in Europe during WWII.
After the war he lived with his family in Springfield, N.J. and later Berkeley Heights, N.J. He was a proud member of the Berkeley Heights BPOE Elks Lodge #2392. He worked as an agent for John Hancock Insurance Company until he retired in 1977. He and his wife of 61 years, Florence, moved to Merritt Island, Florida in 1979.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Florence, and son, John, of Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. and his brother Thomas, of Hillside, N.J. He is survived by his daughter Patricia Basalone (husband Daniel) of Oakland Park, Fl, and his two sons, Thomas (wife Deborah), of Pottersville N.J., and Kenneth (wife Debra), of Cocoa Beach, Fl., 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his 2 sisters, Catherine Doyle of Union, N.J. and Jane McConnell of Piscataway, N.J., many nieces and nephews, and by his good friend and caregiver, Conrad J. Wohltmann.
The family greatly appreciated the support and comfort provided by Health First Hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Health First Hospice, 200 S. Courtenay Prky., Merritt Island, Fl., 32952.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at 1pm at Brevard Memorial Gardens In Cocoa, Fl. Followed funeral services and interment.
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