Bernard J. Lynch

1927 - 2018

Bernard J. "Bernie" Lynch, 90, of Latrobe, passed away Monday, Feb. 12, 2018, peacefully at St. Anne Home. He was born April 1, 1927, in Altoona, a son of the late Bernard and Anna (Kujawa) Lynch. Upon graduating from Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School, Bernie was assigned by the Navy to the V-12 training program for naval officers at the University of Notre Dame. He subsequently served in the Navy as a second class seaman during World War II. He returned to Notre Dame upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, graduating in 1948 with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. After graduation, he continued his involvement at Notre Dame as active member of the Sorin Society, by establishing the B.J. Lynch Family Endowment of Excellence, and being a founding member and first president of the Notre Dame Club of Greensburg/Uniontown. Bernie began his career as an electrical engineer with Duquesne Light. He then came to work in Latrobe for the former Alco Products Inc. and remained with the company through its transitions to Latrobe Forge and Spring and Standard Steel, retiring in 1982 as head electrical engineer. After his retirement, he maintained his professional engineering license through 2005 and continued on as an independent electrical engineering consultant. Bernie was an active member of Holy Family Roman Catholic Church in Latrobe, where he served on parish council, was a cantor and lector, taught CCD classes, and was a member of the Holy Name Society. He was also a member of the bishop's ad hoc committee for implementing Greensburg Diocese parish councils. Bernie was a former member and past president of the Latrobe Rotary Club, where he also served as club secretary for many years. He was a member of the Daniel P. Nolan Knights of Columbus Council 940, Latrobe, and a past board member of the Latrobe Municipal Authority, the Chestnut Ridge Chapter of the American Red Cross, and the Latrobe Art Center. He served as a field trip leader at the Greensburg Museum of Art, and on the energy committee at the Latrobe Area Chamber of Commerce. An excellent public speaker, Bernie was a member of the Toastmasters Club and served as a moderator for the Westmoreland County Historical Society. His favorite pastimes included golfing, fishing and gardening. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of more than 68 years, Delores A. "Dolly" Lynch, just six weeks ago on Dec. 29, 2017. They were married on April 23, 1949, at St. Paul's Cathedral in Pittsburgh by Father William G. Connare, who later became bishop of the Diocese of Greensburg. A loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he was always encouraging and supportive to his six children, Bernard J. "Bernie" Lynch (Connie), Kathleen A. "Kate" Hull (Cary), Neil P. Lynch, Kevin J. Lynch, Robert N. "Bob" Lynch and Sean M. Lynch (Lynn); his 17 grandchildren, who affectionately called him DeDad, Sarah Swain, Tara Stempfer, Moira Smith, Juliana Hull, Kaitlin Uebelhor, Neil Lynch II, Jeremy Lynch, Corey Lynch, Darren Lynch, Bernie Lynch, Kali Lynch, Patrick Lynch, Sean Lynch Jr. and Tyler Lynch; his three step-grandchildren, Stacey Shank, Ryan Hull and Derek Hull; and his 22 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Elizabeth Joyce (Thomas) Gillooly, as well as number of nieces and nephews.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at HARTMAN-GRAZIANO FUNERAL HOME INC., 1500 Ligonier St., Latrobe. Members of the Holy Family Holy Name Society will recite the rosary at 5:45 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday in Holy Family Church, 1200 Ligonier St., Latrobe, with the Rev. Salvatore Lamendola as celebrant. Everyone please go directly to the church. Interment with full military honors accorded by the Greensburg VFW Post No. 33 Honor Guard will follow in St. Vincent Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Anne Home, 685 Angela Drive, Greensburg, PA 15601, https://www.stannehome.org; or to the St. Vincent DePaul Society, P.O. Box 654, Latrobe, PA 15650. To post an online condolence, please visit www.hartman-grazianofuneralhome.com.