John Lynch Obituary

John (Jay) Lynch of Yardley, PA, Ocean Gate, NJ and Grand Cayman, BWI died peacefully at his home in Ocean Gate on December 29, 2024 from ALS.
Born in Yonkers, NY to Joseph Lynch and Lilian Winchester Lynch on March 9, 1938, Jay was the devoted husband to Ruth Martell Lynch for over 62 years. Loving father to Tracey Lynch Meaney, deceased Oct 2020 (Chris) of Marietta, GA; John "Jack" Lynch of West Palm Beach, FL; and Simi Lynch Rozick (Joe) of Castle Rock, CO. He was grandfather to his four wonderful grandchildren - Andrew Meaney (Carly) of Smyrna, GA; Lauren Hickman (Ryan) of Smyrna, GA; Jay Santoro (Alexis) of Ladera Ranch, CA, and Nicholas Santoro of Alexandria, VA as well as four great grandchildren - Charlotte (Charlie) Hickman, Emma Hickman, Sloane Meaney and Vivienne Santoro. Jay is survived by his four siblings, Harvey Lynch of Ocean Gate, NJ; Patricia Lynch of Lakewood, NJ; Regina Marullo of Brick, NJ, and Cathae Setaro of Forked River, NJ and his many nieces and nephews. Jay loved his Uncle Parker and Aunt Rita Winchester and seven cousins who he lived with on the family poultry farm in Brick, NJ. Jay looked forward to annual family reunions.
Jay spent his early years in Pearl River, NY and moved to Brick, NJ in his sophomore year of high school. He was the President of his senior class and was awarded the National Honor Society Certificate of Merit.
After high school Jay enrolled at Rutgers university on an academic scholarship. He majored in Geography and City Planning. He was the captain of the track team and enjoyed success in both the high jump and long jump.
After college, he began his professional career in City Planning. In 1963 he became the youngest licensed planner (#19) in the state of NJ. In 1971 he started his own consulting company with Bill Queale, Queale & Lynch. For 30 years they worked throughout New Jersey building one of the largest firms in the state specializing in city planning, redevelopment, zoning issues and affordable housing. Jay served as a special master for the state superior court on matters related to affordable housing and zoning. After Hurricane Sandy in 2012 at the age of 71, he came out of retirement to serve as the Town Planner of Toms River to help rebuild after Sandy and worked with FEMA.
Jay met his wife Ruth on the Point Pleasant Beach boardwalk when they were in college at Martell's Sea Breeze which was owned by Ruth's father Fred Martell. They were married Oct 27, 1962 at the height of the Cuban Missile crisis at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Asbury Park, NJ. They moved to Yardley, PA and raised their children and lived there for 50 years. They enjoyed spending winters in the Grand Caymans and summers in Ocean Gate, NJ and moved to Ocean Gate full time in 2012. Jay and his wife have been very active in the Catholic Church. They have taught CCD and Pre-Cana and became Eucharistic ministers in their parishes from Yardley, Ocean Gate and Grand Cayman. They led a very active social life with lifelong friends and gathered new friends along the way. In recent years they enjoyed spending time at the Ocean Gate Yacht Club and winters in the Cayman Islands. Jay had a special bond with his four grandchildren and loved his time with them.
Memorial Service on January 18, 2025 from 9:00-10:30am at Mastapeter Memorial Home, 270 Atlantic City Blvd., Bayville, NJ followed by a Memorial Mass at 11:00am at St. Barnabas Church, 33 Woodland Rd., Bayville, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Jay Lynch may be made to support the Joan Dancy and PALS (people with ALS) Foundation www.joandancyandpals.org.
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