Francis (Frank) E. Lynch, 66, died at home in Daytona Beach Shores on Tuesday, December 14, 2021. Originally from Westhampton Beach, NY, he was the husband of Barbara Murphy Lynch and proud father of their two daughters, Shannon and Diana.
By his own account, he “lived the life others wish they could have lived,” from meeting rock stars as backstage manager at the Hollywood Sportatorium to working with monkeys as an organ grinder at Orlando’s Church Street Station.
Barb recounts that through 39 years of marriage there was never a dull moment. Frank is also survived by his daughters and their spouses: Shannon and Nick Zazulia of McLean, VA, and Diana and Charley Lynch of Columbus, GA.
Other surviving family includes his mother, Jean Filmanski Lynch; sister, Erin McArdle; and brother, Timothy Lynch. He is predeceased by his father, Courtney Lynch. Frank is also fondly remembered by members of his extended family and numerous friends who became family over the years.
As the Barnum lyrics suggest, Frank eventually joined the circus like he wanted to when he was a kid, serving as ringmaster for the Great American Family Circus, as well as performing under the moniker Professor P. T. Marvel in his very own Super Circus Sideshow. He was a proud member of the International Independent Showmen’s Association in Gibsonton, FL, as well as the Circus Fans Association of America (Hoxie Tucker / Bob & Mary Jo Couls Tent 137).
As all circus folk know, “the show must go on” and, to the end, Frank would muster up the strength to retell one of his favorite stories to anyone willing to listen or make his “audience” laugh with an amusing anecdote.
If you would like to relive a few of Frank’s stories in his own words, check out his book Backstage Passes: Memoirs of an American Showman or his episode on the YouTube interview series Ron Schneider’s Wild Rides.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to www.showmensmuseum.org or www.circusarts.org . A service in honor of Frank’s life will be held privately by the family.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.17