Donald (Don) G. Lynch

Donald G. Lynch

1953 – 2023

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved brother, Donald (Don) Gerard Lynch on March 28, 2023, at the Miramichi Regional Hospital. He was 69.

Don was the son of Gordon and Shirley Lynch, and the brother of Pauline Lynch of Rothesay, NB, Patricia (Paul) Broemeling of Westfield, NB, Lee (Debbie) Lynch of Edmonton, AB, the father of adopted son Stephane (Helene) Lynch of Quebec and grandfather of Felix, Alexandre and Marianne. He had strong relationships with all of his nieces and nephews - Colin, Kyle, Ryan and Rebekah, and Christopher, Colin and Tara. He was also warmly connected with his aunts, uncles and his many cousins in the Lynch and Gilliss families.

Don lived a life of service to others, especially youth, and he had a positive impact on many people’s lives through his generosity, selflessness and unyielding determination. His life path was not traditional, but it was always full of caring relationships. He would not have had it any other way. Faith was a large part of Don’s life. He was a devout Catholic and rarely missed going to church on Sundays. He also took every opportunity to support friends and family at wakes and funerals throughout the years. A spiritual trip to Jerusalem in 2017 was a dream come true for him and deepened his faith even further.

He studied at NB Teacher’s College (1973) and upon completion, he began a successful teaching career in Black’s Harbour, where he taught middle school and coached multiple sports. He took great pride and joy in the accomplishment of his volleyball team when they won a provincial title in the late 1970’s. While teaching at Black’s Harbour, Don took a year off to learn French in Quebec City, which is where he met Lise Bergeron. They formed a strong, platonic relationship and she introduced him to ballroom dancing, one of his true loves. Together they adopted a young man named Stephane and Don was very proud of the man he grew to be.

In the early 1980’s Don moved to Port Elgin to continue his teaching and mentoring of youth. It was here where he met Ola Williams. They formed a beautiful relationship where he was like a son to her, and she was like a second mom to him. Don was welcomed into Ola’s family as though he grew up in it and he had very strong connections with Susan, Jim, Maureen and all of Ola’s sisters.

In 1987, Don hired a high school student, Michael Leblanc, to work in the cash office at the Miramichi Exhibition where Don worked for many years during his summers off from teaching. Don and Michael formed a loving father-son relationship and they lived together when Michael was younger. Don eventually became very close to Michael’s wife, Tina, and their two kids, Mark and Eric. He was like a grandfather to the boys.

In 1989, Don decided to make a career change. He moved back to the Miramichi and eventually started working for the Department of Social Development. For the next 15 years, he worked tirelessly to partner with local stakeholders to develop programs that supported marginalized and under-served youth. He was a mentor to many along the way at SD, including Jeremy Lloyd and Isaac Doran. He loved them both dearly, and they loved him.

Not surprisingly, Don became heavily involved in community service in the Miramichi, namely, chairing the Saint Margaret’s Water and Waste Water Commission for many years, was an active participant with the Canadian Cancer Society and displayed enthusiastic leadership with the Miramichi Relay for Life. In 2002, Don was honoured for his years of dedication and service with a Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee Medal. This was very fitting, considering how Don lived his life. Making strong connections with others was Don’s superpower.

Don adored driving the roads of New Brunswick with people he cared about. He put millions of kilometres on his vehicles driving to movies in Moncton, doing his Christmas tour through Port Elgin, travelling to Quebec City with Pauline, catching shows in Charlottetown at the Confederation Centre for the Arts and going to Antigonish with Ola to visit Jim, Susan and their families.

Don had very close relationships with many people and he loved to talk! He spent a lot of time with his friends Linda Fowler, Helena Waye and Bill Riley, Beth and Jeff Gorman, Beep and Shelly Parks, Joan Watt, Tracy Haining and her son Cooper, and Fernande and Wayne Lloyd. He had so many important people in his life, it is impossible to name them all. He was also very fortunate to have had wonderful neighbours, like Phyllis and Tony, Yerxa and Paula, Zane and Susan and Stephanie Johnson, to mention but a few.

He will be dearly missed by many of us. Don was a true gem who made the world a better place.

Visitation took place at Adams Funeral Home 140 King Street Miramichi on June 12th, 2023, from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM.  A Mass of Christian Burial occurred at Saint Michael’s Basilica, 10 Howard Street Miramichi, on June 13th, 2023, at 11 AM.  Interment followed in Saint Michael’s Cemetery.  Music for the service was provided by Soloist/Pianist, Jacqueline Allain.  The entrance hymn was  "Here I Am Lord", followed by "The Lord is my Shepherd", "Be Not Afraid", "Gift of Finest Wheat", "On Eagle's Wings", with the recessional being "Song of Farewell".  The First Scripture Reading was by Michael LeBlanc, and the Second Scripture Reading was by Tara Broemeling. Prayers of the Faithful were proclaimed by Helena Waye.  The Urn Bearers were Stephane Lynch, Lee Lynch, and Tara Broemeling. A reception was held in the Parish Centre.

As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Relay for Life – Cancer Fundraising or The Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated by the family.

Arrangements were entrusted to Adams Funeral Home Ltd., 140 King St., Miramichi, telephone (506) 773-3492.  Additionally, messages of condolence may be sent online to www.adamsfh.ca

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Est. 1956

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