James Terrence "Terry" Lynch

1937 - 2017

James Terrence "Terry" Lynch passed away Monday evening, February 6, 2017, at UPMC Hamot, in Erie, Pennsylvania. He recently celebrated his 80th birthday with friends and family. Terry was born in Meadville, on January 21, 1937, the second of ten children of the late LeRoy T. and Julia (Swaney) Lynch.

Terry attended St. Brigid School and graduated from Meadville High School in 1955. He received a degree in Pharmacy from the University of Pittsburgh. Terry's career as a pharmacist began at Eckerd Drugs; he worked for 13 years at St. Vincent's and later for 12 years at Hamot Medical Center. He finished his career with several years of service at St. Mary's. Many also knew him from his 15 years working part-time at Lakewood Pharmacy.

After retirement, Terry was an avid traveler with his brother Tim and with his wife Judy. He most enjoyed his trips to Ireland, Egypt, Japan and China.

Terry was civic minded and involved in many organizations, including the Irish Cultural Society, the Knights of Columbus and was named a Knight of St. Patrick. He served for ten years as a volunteer firefighter at West Lake Fire Department where he served as President for several years. He also participated on St. Julia's parish council. His Irish heritage prompted him to organize a Crossingville Picnic with his friend Neal McBride. It was well attended by many of the descendants of Erie County's first Irish families.

Terry was an avid genealogist and family historian for the Lynch, Swaney, Maloney and Wingfield families. He was also the record keeper for Meadville's great class of 1955 where he and his wife, Judy met. Terry spent numerous years involved in Democratic politics serving as a committeeman and chairman of Millcreek Democratic Party. He ran for office and supported others, including his wife.

Terry was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Patrick and Timothy, as well as his nephew, Michael J. Lynch, Jr.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Judy and four daughters, Ann Van Houten (Bill), Mary Schodt (David), Beth Schodt (Dan) and Katy Benison (Brian). He is further survived by eight grandchildren, Brian Benison (Jie), Jennifer Benison, Erin Van Houten, Timothy Schodt, Melissa Schodt, Laura Van Houten, Molly Schodt and Kevin Schodt and one step-grandchild, Serena Schodt. Terry was extremely close to his siblings and is survived by seven siblings who loved him dearly, including Jean Mottillo, Daniel K. (Mary Lee), Michael J. (Mary Ann), Christopher R. (Anne), Sean F. (Vicki), Eileen Ownby, and Luanne (Jennifer).

Family and friends are invited to call at Burton Westlake Funeral Home, 3801 West 26th Street, Erie, Pennsylvania 16506 (at Powell Avenue) on Thursday, February 9th, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. and are invited to attend a prayer service there on Friday, February 10th, at 9:15 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Julia's Roman Catholic Church, 638 Roslyn Ave., Erie, at 10 a.m. Interment will be in the St. James Cemetery in Crossingville, Pa.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Terry's name to one of three charities: the Shriner's who cared for Terry's nephew many years ago, www.shrinershospitals.org/Donate, the Emmaus Soup Kitchen run by the Benedictines to ensure all who are in need are cared for, www.eriecommunityfoundation.org or the Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital, an organization for the leadership for all girls, in honor of Terry's commitment to his daughters and the advancement of women, www.gscnc.org/Donate.

Send condolences at www.BurtonFuneralHome.com.

(The photo was taken at St. Patrick Church, Washington, D.C., on December 24, 2016.)

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