Obituary of Walter C. Lynch

The death of Rev. Walter Chandler Lynch occurred on Tuesday, April 24, 2012, at the Moncton Hospital. Father Lynch was born in Saint John, NB, on February 26, 1935, one of seven children of the late Harold Francis and Pearl Clare (Chandler) Lynch. After attending local schools, he spent time working with aerial and portrait photography, he then spent many years as a sales representative for the Canadian Linen Supply in New Brunswick. Father Lynch graduated from St. Mary’s College in Brockville, ON. He eventually offered himself as a candidate for the priesthood of the Diocese of Saint John. After seminary studies in Holy Apostles Seminary, Cromwell, Connecticut, he was ordained to the priesthood in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on May 10, 1985 by Bishop Arthur Gilbert. After ordination, he served as Associate Pastor of Holy Rosary Parish, Minto, and St. Joseph’s Parish, Chipman; as Administrator of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Bartibogue; as Associate Pastor of St. Michael’s Parish, Chatham; and as Administrator of Sts. Simon and Jude Parish, Nackawic, and St. Agnes Parish, Debec. In 1987 he was appointed Pastor of St. Ann’s Parish, Kingsclear, with its Missions of Immaculate Conception, Cork, St. Mark’s, Lake George, and St. Patrick’s, Newmarket. He served there until 1996 when he was appointed Pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Bartibogue, its Missions of Holy Family, Barryville, and All Saints, Millbank. He retired from full-time ministry on July 1, 2004 and remained on the Miramichi. He was an avid salmon angler and a strong supporter for the preservation of the Atlantic Salmon. Father Lynch enjoyed making flies for fishing. For a number of years he entered his flies throughout Canada and the United States. For the past 25 years he has been tying flies as a hobby. One of his latest classic salmon fly creations was designed in honor of the holy year and presented as a gift from the Catholic priests of the Miramichi to the Most Reverend Joseph Faber MacDonald, D.D. In 1994, Father Lynch was judged 2nd with his presentation of the “Silver Rat” entered in a fly tying competition that was held in Worcestershire, England. In 2004, he was awarded a Certificate of Excellence by the Salmon Association Eastern Newfoundland in recognition of place 1st in the Classic Tying Category for Newfoundland and Labrador. In 2007, Father Lynch was presented with the “Friend of the River Award” in Miramichi, NB. In 2009, he was inducted into the Atlantic Salmon Hall of Fame as an angler and a fly tyer. Father Lynch also enjoyed reading and reciting the works of Robert Service. He is survived by his sisters, Sarah Wilson of Saint John and Eva Bell of St. Jacob’s, ON, as well as several nieces, nephews and good and faithful friends. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his sisters, Mary Unruh, Pearl, his twin sister, Helen Shannon, and his brother Harold. His body will rest at the Cathedral Rectory, 91 Waterloo Street, Saint John, on Thursday afternoon from 2 - 4 pm. His body will be translated to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Thursday evening at 7 pm for Solemn Vespers, followed by visitation until 9 pm. His funeral Mass will be celebrated in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Friday, April 27th, at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Fitzpatrick’s Funeral Home, 100 Waterloo Street, Saint John, NB (634-1965). Remembrances may be made to the Salmon Protective Association or to a charity of the donor’s choice would be appreciated.