Gene David Lynch

Gene David Lynch, 85, of Massillon, passed away unexpectedly early Saturday morning, February 10. 2018.  Born in Massillon, September 6, 1932, a son to the late John S. and Nancy M. (Todd) Lynch, Gene graduated from Washington High School with the Class of 1950.  He was a Three-Star bandsman in the trombone section of the Tiger “Swing” Band and remained a devoted Tiger fan his entire life. A skilled machinist, Gene completed his early training, apprenticeship and became a journeyman while working for the former Nickel Plate Railroad and the GM Stamping Plant in Euclid.  He finished his career and retired from the Chrysler Stamping Plant in Twinsburg.  A devoted life-member of First Christian Church of Massillon, he was active in the construction of the original church building and the newer fellowship hall.  He served as an Elder in the church and was instrumental in building Camp Christian Summer Camp in Magnetic Springs, Ohio.  A long-time member of the Massillon Lions Club, Gene served as president in 2004.  He performed regularly in the annual shows and looked forward to the bi-annual Candy Days.  He received the Sherm Roney Award in recognition of his stewardship to the Lions organization and the community.  Gene was also a mason for 65 years and the honored recipient from the state of Ohio, of Masonry’s Knights Templar Cross of Honor in 2012.  His Masonic service includes Past Master of Clinton Lodge #47; Past High Priest of Hiram Chapter #18; Past Illustrious Master of Canton Council #35 and Past Commander of Massillon Commandery #4.  His other Masonic honors include the Knight of York Cross of Honor; Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priest; Past Sovereign Master of Allied Masonic Degree – Red Branch of Erie; Member of the Trowel-lers; Knight Masons of Ireland, Shannon Council #28; Royal Order of Scotland and York Rite College.  He also held fraternal memberships in the Tadmor Shrine of Akron and the Al Koran Shrine and the Koran Drum and Bugle Corps, of Broadview Heights.
Gene and his wife, Joan, shared 24 remarkable years together, successfully blending a large and loving family and extended family.  Gene is predeceased by his parents; sons, Gary Lynch and Jeffrey Laughlin; sister, Ruth Ella Kenney Hammer and brothers, James Kenney and John and George Lynch.  He is survived by his wife, Joan C. (Moorhead) Lynch, of the home; daughter, Karen (Randy) Curtis, of Vienna, Virginia and their children, Kevin and Rebecca; son, John (Michelle) Lynch, of Massillon and their 5 children and 9 grand-children; daughter-in-law, Gayle Lynch and her children, Allan (Megan) and Kristi; and grandsons Camden and Jarrett; Jim (Rebecca) Laughlin and their son, Briar Allen Laughlin, of Plumas Lake, California; Christine Laughlin, of Ashtabula; Patrice (Larry) Cook, of Clarksville, Tennessee and their children, Bryan, Charles and Olivia.
We want to honor this man for a job well done with a Celebration of Gene’s life, at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 17, 2018, at First Christian Church in Massillon.  Pastor Steven Gower will officiate and inurnment will take place later this spring at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens.  The family will receive condolences Friday afternoon, February 16, from 2-4:00 p.m. and from 6-8:00 p.m. at Atkinson Feucht Hare Funeral Home in Massillon.  A Masonic service will be conducted at 5:45 p.m. and a Lions Club ceremony at 7:45 p.m.  The family has suggested memorial contributions to Shriners Hospitals for Children (www.shrinershospitals.org/Donate).

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