James Francis Lynch

James F. Lynch, 47, an avid fisherman

When friends describe James F. Lynch, the first word they all reach for is "helpful."

A lifelong law enforcement officer and avid fisherman, the 47-year-old Woodbridge resident died in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

"He was a very helpful individual, very thorough, very involved," said Ray Geary, a captain of a charter fishing boat and a member of the Greater Point Pleasant Charter Boat Association, where Mr. Lynch had served as secretary.

"He was a very good fisherman. And he was always open to share information. If he had a good day, he'd share that, so the next guy going out would have a good catch," Mr. Geary said.

"He was a great guy, willing to help anybody," said Joe Larosa, co- owner of another charter fishing boat.

He noted that Mr. Lynch, a Port Authority police officer, was out on sick leave on Sept. 11. But he was unwilling to stay home during the disaster at the building where he worked. Mr. Lynch went to Manhattan to help out and, like so many others, never returned.

Lynch's entire career was spent in various branches of law enforcement. He first served as a corrections officer at Rahway State Prison -- now called East Jersey State Prison -- where he began working in 1975. Later he was a police officer with Conrail, and in 1979 he joined the Port Authority Police, where his most recent work was with emergency services and hazardous material response at the World Trade Center. He earned a group valor citation for heroic actions taken during the 1993 bombing at the Trade Center.

Born in New Brunswick, Mr. Lynch lived in Edison until he moved to Woodbridge this year. He was a graduate of St. Joseph's High School in Metuchen and Lincoln Technical Institute in Union. In 1982, he earned an associate degree in science at Middlesex County College.

He is survived by his mother, Elizabeth Gavin Lynch of Metuchen; his son, James C., 15, and his son's mother, Evelyn Lynch of Edison; his sisters, Margaret Dugdale of Metuchen and Carol Penna of Janesville; his brothers Peter of Ringoes, Bill of Philadelphia, and David of Edison; and his grandmother, Mildred Gavin of Metuchen.

A memorial will be held from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday at St. Cecelia Roman Catholic Church in Iselin. A memorial Mass will be celebrated by his uncle, Rev. William F. Gavin, at 11 a.m. Saturday in the church. A reception will follow in Lourdes Hall.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Mr. Lynch's memory to the American Red Cross, the Twin Towers Fund, or a trust fund being established for his son's education.