Bernard Anthony Lynch age 88 of Malden passed away Sunday morning February 24, 2013 after a long illness. He was born December 30, 1924 in Milburn to the late John and Margaret Fitzgerald Lynch. He was also preceded in death by his brothers John, Vincent, Louis, Alfred and sisters Katherine and Elizabeth.
Bernard attended East Bank High School and while needing only one credit to graduate, in 1941, he volunteered to serve his country in the United States Navy where he served on the cruiser USS Hodges in the South Pacific (After the war, the principal of the high school granted Bernard his diploma). Bernard continued to serve his country and state for 33 years in the West Virginia National Guard and retired as a Major. After the war Bernard attended West Virginia Tech and was a sales and marketing executive for Peoples Insurance Company. He later was a mine foreman for Appalachian Coal and served as a West Virginia State Mine Inspector.
He is survived by his wife Jean Lynch; daughter Mary Catherine; sister Regina Craffey; stepdaughters Cheryl (Joe) Cangemi, Jennifer (Daren and Darien) Ball, Christine (Michael) Whiteside grandchildren Sarah Beth Pennington, Rob Pennington, Sarah and Alex Sidcum; and forever mourned by his beloved 16 year old cat Tiggy.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 AM Friday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Montgomery with Fr. John Rice as Celebrant and he will be assisted by Deacons Rev. Mr. John Divita and Bernards’ nephew Rev. Mr. John Lynch. Friends may call on Thursday from 6 PM until 8 PM at O’Dell Funeral Home, Montgomery where a Christian wake service will be led by Rev. Mr. John Lynch at 7:30 PM. Internment with Military Honors will follow at the Montgomery Memorial Park at London. The parish community will provide a mercy luncheon at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church after the committal service at the cemetery.
O’Dell Funeral Home, Montgomery is in charge of the arrangements and will accept flowers in memory of Mr. Lynch. Expressions of sympathy can be sent at www.odellfuneralhome.com