Joseph Marcian Lynch of Seaford died on Jan. 24, 2024, surrounded by loved ones.
Known to his family and friends as Joe, he was born in Milford on August 3, 1951, to John F. Lynch, Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Haley Lynch. He was one of seven children and was raised in Seaford. From an early age, he was active in several religious and civic organizations. As a child, he was involved with the scouts, and started serving as an altar boy around the age of nine at Our Lady of Lourdes church in Seaford. He continued to serve in many different capacities with Our Lady of Lourdes for over six decades. He still served as an altar boy as needed until his health declined in recent years, was a Eucharistic Minister, and served several decades with the Knights of Columbus. Joe served locally with the St. Molua Council, as well as on the K of C State Council. He was an integral part of their organization and the Our Lady of Lourdes parish. He was a man of very strong faith and dedicated most of his life to his parish family.
Joe was also active in the community through refereeing football, being an umpire for Seaford Little League, as well as Seaford School District and men’s softball leagues. For many years, Joe was the emcee for the Little Miss and Miss Seaford pageants. He raised record funds as the chair for United Way at DuPont, often making “deals” if the employees pledged a set amount. He helped deliver meals for seniors with Meals on Wheels, taking his children to encourage and teach them the importance of giving back. He was a member of the American Legion and also worked with other groups supporting veterans over the years. Joe also enjoyed photography and working on genealogy, tracing his family’s heritage and reconnecting with family members around the world.
Joe graduated from Seaford High School with the class of 1969. He joined the U.S. Navy in September of 1969 and was active duty until 1973. He then transferred to the Naval Reserves until 1984 where he continued federal service in a reserve capacity. He was a Hospital Corpsman and a Navy Seabee while he served. Joe worked at the DuPont plant after graduating and left employment there in November 2006. Throughout his career, he was a spinning machine operator, helped run the television studio at SCN, and was a shift supervisor. After retirement, he kept busy working at the Party Corner a few days a week until November 2022.
Joe raised his three daughters, Regina, Amanda, and Jessica, in Seaford. He was an amazing father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. “Pappy” lived for his family and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren more than anything. His family will always remember him as a stabilizing force. He will be remembered most for his faith, kindness and concern for others, his quick-witted (and sometimes snarky) comments, and dry humor which could be inappropriate at times.
Joe was preceded in death by his father, John F. Lynch, Sr.; mother, Mary Elizabeth Haley Lynch; sister, Cornelia “Cornie” Zangrilli; brother-in-law, Robert “Bobby Lee” Jefferson; niece and nephews, Ronnie “Poochie” Jefferson, Ursula Phillips, and Paul Jefferson. He is survived by his children, Regina (James “Catfish”) White, Amanda Lynch, and Jessica Lynch; grandchildren, Jonathon (Chelsey) Lynch-Cay, James Cameron White (Emily), Carson Cooper, Annabelle Porter, Ryker Johnson; great-grandchildren, Adeline and Bennet Lynch-Cay; siblings, John F. Lynch, Jr. (Emma Jean), Mary “Quita” Phillips, Juliaanne Jefferson, John Zangrilli (brother-in-law), Roberta “Bobbie” Long (Bill), and Bernadette Marvel (Roger); and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
A Catholic mass will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes in Seaford on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 11 a.m. A celebration of life will follow at the VFW Post 4961 on Middleford Rd. (Seaford) at 1 p.m. Family and friends are invited to share fellowship and food.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Knights of Columbus St. Molua Council #4075, c/o OLL Church, 528 E Stein Hwy., Seaford, DE 19973. (Please note on the check: In Memory of Joe Lynch.)
To leave a condolence visit www.cranstonfuneralhome.com.