Edward J. Lynch ’71

After a sudden and brief illness, Edward J. Lynch Jr., 72, a Danvers resident for more than sixty years, died Friday, July 29, 2022 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of Jeanne (Hodgkins) Lynch, with whom he shared thirty years of marriage along with a lifetime of friendship and true love.
Ed was born in The Bronx on October 23, 1949 as the son of the late Edward and B. Ruth (Hewitt) Lynch. Though his roots are in Lynches Alley, where his love for the ocean began, the bulk of his life was spent in Danvers. He was educated at St. Thomas the Apostle in Peabody and Bishop Fenwick High School, where he and his 12 siblings were quite well known for their antics. There are few local residents that have not encountered a Lynch, and their tales of adventure.
As the eldest brother in the Lynch clan, he opted to head north for college always finding his way to the sea, where he graduated from Maine Maritime Academy. He shipped out on tankers before serving as a U.S. Merchant Marine. His first grandson will be attending Mass Maritime this fall and Ed was overjoyed! “Sail the seven seas Sam, and don’t come back ’till you’re done sailing”, were some of his parting words, and ones his family will never forget. His adventurous spirit never dwindled, even in his final days.
Following his time in the Merchant Marines, Ed followed in his father’s footsteps and began his construction career with Franki Foundation. With his work ethic second to none and his knack for the industry, it did not take long for him to turn a job, into a lifelong career. He co-founded Terra Drilling in 1984, where he introduced new drilling systems to the northeast and built the trust and admiration of his crews over many decades. After a fleeting attempt at retirement, he could not stay away from his natural ability to lead and started Titan Drilling Specialists in 2012, back in New York where it all began. Ever the entrepreneur, he saw an opportunity to become part of Boston’s recent building boom and opened Atlas Drilling in 2015, for his family and longtime colleagues to operate. Up until the time of his death he was active in business, always thinking of the next idea while teaching his children what it is like to lead with humility. The industry will feel his void for years to come, but his many employees can be comforted knowing how important they were to him, seen and treated as part of his extended family.
As a talented athlete, and with a deeply engrained work ethic, he trained for the 1976 Olympics in the Men’s single sculls rowing event. He was an oarsman for several years, rowing in a variety of races including the Head of the Charles Regatta, and also ran both the Boston and New York City Marathons. Ed was particularly proud of this area of his life, where so many memories were had with his siblings, cousins and kids.
A man of tremendous and steadfast faith, he and his wife ran a Christian Book store for several years in Danvers Square. Many will recall him sitting on the porch on Elm St, chatting with a passerby about his love for Jesus. At the beginning of their faithful journey together, Ed and Jeanne found Wesley United Methodist Church in Salem, where they worshipped together for over 30 years. Through their time there they helped build a community of love, welcoming any and all people to join in their path to Christ. Over the years their families blended together with many layers of love, with a strong foundation of faith and FUN!
Ed’s love for Jesus was too grand to contain and he was called to share it with people directly, from all walks of life. After years of early morning walks through Salem Willows, and at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic he found his true calling. The Willows Mission was founded in 2020, where people come to gather in prayer and worship to read God’s word. Direct communication with people on the streets is where he made the most impact. The Mission continues to meet daily to nurture the spiritual needs of its members, as well as provide food and clothing for Salem’s homeless community.
Through his life here on earth, he used to joke that he was just trying to get to Heaven, and anyone that has crossed his charismatic path has nary a doubt, that he is resting in peace at the right hand of the Father.
In addition to his wife, he leaves his children, Matthew Lynch and his wife Heather of Derry, NH; their kids Matthew Edward Jr., Jameson, Hudson; daughter Elizabeth Toerne and her husband Kevin of Danvers; their kids Samuel Edward, Benjamin; daughter Jessica Osier and her husband Damein of South Hampton, NH; step-daughter Michelle Gilliss and her husband Steve of Danvers; their kids Harrison, Tristan, Teagan, Jaiden; step-son Daniel Turcotte and his wife Gabriella of Danvers; their kids Jordan, Ayla, and Adelyn. He is also survived by his siblings, Ruthanne, Arthur, Mary, Laurie, John, Steve, Tom, Sue, Kenny, his former wife Barbara, and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
He was predeceased by his brothers, Brian, Michael, and David Lynch.
His Memorial Service will be Friday, August 5, 2002 at 10AM in the Wesley United Methodist Church, 8 North Street, Salem. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours are Thursday from 4-7PM in C.R. Lyons & Sons Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers Square. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ed’s memory may be made to The Willows Mission, PO Box 458, Danvers, MA 01923. To share an expression of sympathy with Ed’s family, please visit www.LyonsFuneral.com, or go to his kudo board https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/V1swHWEK#view to post written, video, or photo memories for the family to share for years to come.