It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Nelson Lynch, husband of Edwina Rossignol, at the Grand Falls General Hospital, December 24, 2010, at the age of 85 years. Born at Saint-Jacques in 1925, he was a son of the late Darcy and Elizabeth (Daigle) Lynch. He is survived by his wife, four children, William Rossignol Lynch (Madeleine Albert) of Newmarket, Ontario, Anne (Wallace McLaughlin) and Paul (Laurie) of Dieppe and Pierre of Cary, North Carolina, seven grandchildren, Marie-Josée, Marc-André, Pierre-Yves, Sébastien, Marie-Ève, Matthew and Alexandre, brothers and sisters, Kate, Herman, Frank, Pat, Bob, Patsy, Nora, Loreen and Jim, as well as nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brothers and sisters, Cécile, Yvan, Norman, Theresa, John and Roman. Mr. Lynch started his post secondary studies at St. Thomas University in Chatham (NB), afterward studying theology for one year at the Seminary of Quebec. From 1951 to 1953, he followed summer courses at Columbia University (New York, NY), earning a Master of Arts in School Administration. A Beaverbrook Scholarship then allowed him to study at the University of London (UK) for the 1956-57 school year, meriting him the diploma of Associate of the University of London Institute of Education. His entire life was dedicated to teaching; generations of young students profited from his great interest in knowledge and learning. His teaching years sent him to Plaster Rock in 1949-50, and, for the ten following years, to the principalship of the Drummond Consolidated Schools. From 1960 to 1970, he was principal of Cormier High School in Edmundston (NB), as well as director of evening and summer courses at the school. He was then first principal of Thomas-Albert High School of Grand Falls (NB) until 1984, the year of his retirement. For 5 years, he was also Administrative Director of summer courses at the Université Saint-Joseph (Memramcook, NB). He was very active among professional and volunteer associations. He was President of A.D.E.F. (association of Madawaska francophone schools), founding president of S.E.R.F (districts 1 and 32 retired teachers association) and member of A.F.I.D.E.S. (international association of francophone school directors). He was also active on many committees of the NB Ministry of Education and AEFNB and member of the NB Human Rights Commission. Culturally, he was a founding member of the Madawaska Music Festival and Governor of the Three Borders region. With the Knights of Columbus, he was successively Great Knight, District Deputy and Financial Secretary. He was also President and one of the founding members of the Grand Falls Richelieu Club, President of the Grand Falls Golf Club and director of the Club's special projects committee. He was also a member of the Cross Country Skiing Club, member of the Falls and Gorge Commission and President of the Mgr.-Saint-Vallier Monument Commission. In 1992, he was honored with a 125th Canadian Confederation Anniversary Medal that recognized his accomplishments. He had the development of a whole community at heart. He loved outdoor activities and practiced golf, boating, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing until very recently. Most of all, he loved his wife, his children and his grandchildren.
Resting at O'Regan's Funeral Home, 515 Everard Daigle Blvd., Grand Falls with visiting hours on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday from 12 noon until 1:15 p.m. His funeral service will be held Wednesday, December 29th at 2 p.m. from the Assumption Roman Catholic Church, Grand Falls with interment in the Assumption Cemetery. Grand Falls Daughters of Isabella will meet for prayers Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. jointly with members of the Knights of Columbus. Retired teachers will meet for prayers Tuesday at 8 p.m. For those who wish, donations to the Dr Léon Richard Oncology Centre or to the Tree of Hope Campaign (www.treeofhope.ca or 330 Université Ave, Moncton, NB E1C 2Z3) would be appreciated by the family. www.oregans.ca