Lightening the Mood
In a family of 10 children like the Lynches -- this one Democrat, that one Republican, some of them independents -- disagreements happen. And at family dinners, Michael, the seventh oldest, was peacemaker. He would don a silly hat, utter a one-liner, and "they would just realize we shouldn't take ourselves too seriously," said his father, Jack.
Michael Lynch, 31, was a firefighter with Ladder Company 32 in the Bronx, and diffused the tension there too. Every time a Federal Express truck drove by station, he would yell, "WILSON!" and run after it like Tom Hanks in "Cast Away." Out on call, he would scream at his friend Bill Owens from the back of the truck, "O-WEN!" — as the horrible mother does to Danny Devito in "Throw Momma From the Train."
In November, Firefighter Lynch was scheduled to marry Stephanie Luccioni. But the Lynch family has a news video of Michael and firefighters from Engine Company 40, where he was on rotation on Sept. 11, responding to the World Trade Center attack. In it, Michael Lynch's face is somber. It was about 9:44 a.m. The men were rushing down a stairwell in 4 World Trade Center, and heading underground toward the south tower.
Profile published in THE NEW YORK TIMES on December 15, 2001.
Michael F. Lynch, 30, of Bronx, New York, a firefighter with Engine62/Ladder 32 of the New York Fire Department who was on rotation to Engine 40, died saving others in the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Michael, the seventh of ten children born to Kathleen V. and Jack Lynch, was engaged to be married to Stephanie Luccioni on November 16.
Michael was a gentle, loving person who was known for his quick humor and love of life. He was an avid fisherman, outdoorsman, and sports lover. He coached a children's soccer team and was a well known DJ who played at many local and charitable events. He once worked for Dean Witter in the World Trade Center but left that job to fulfill his dream of becoming a firefighter. Michael will be remembered by his family and friends as a brave and kind person who made us laugh and brought joy to our lives. We miss him terribly.
