Daniel J. Lynch of Cape Coral, Florida, passed peacefully on Tuesday, November 19, 2024.

Dan is survived by his wife of 46 years, Toni Ann Balchunas Lynch. Dan is also survived by his siblings and their spouses: Maurice (Mo) and Virginia (Gin) Lynch of Williamsburg, Va., Francis (Frank) Lynch of Needham, Mass., Patrick (Pat) and Karen Lynch of East Bridgewater, Mass., Nancy Lynch and Mac Bunch of Ramrod Key, Fla., and numerous nieces and nephews, Tim, Mike, Nora, Caitrin, Anne, Jennifer, Brighid and Vicki; grand-nieces/nephews, Sinead, Blake, Brianna, Keith, Kevin, Cameron, Conor, Liam, Cormac, Nicola, Anna, Andrew, Tim, PJ, Ellie, and Parker, and great-grand-nieces/nephews, Clare, Molly, Harper, Greyson, Henry, Vivienne, and Rowan.

Dan was predeceased by his brother, John J. Lynch, and his parents, Maurice P. Lynch and Anne Duffin Lynch of East Bridgewater.

Dan was born in Boston and grew up in East Bridgewater, Mass. A graduate of East Bridgewater High School, Class of 1966, he attended Quincy Junior College prior to joining the U.S. Army. He served honorably for four years before being medically retired from the Army in 1970. After his retirement, he returned to Massachusetts and decided that the Lynch Family Compound in East Bridgewater was the perfect place to live. Dan proceeded to fulfill his dream of building a swimming pool and tennis court—to the great enjoyment of his family and friends.

Dan met his future wife, Toni, at the usual place in those days—a bar. According to what Dan always told his sister, Nancy, “It was love at first sight” and “She was the most beautiful woman I had ever met.” After their wedding in 1978, Dan built his dream house behind the pool and tennis court, expanding the Lynch Family Compound.

Dan worked as a traffic engineer, continuing his father’s tradition of working for the Department of Public Works, Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He worked there until his retirement.

Dan and Toni lived in East Bridgewater until 1995. When the winters became too cold for them, they started a southward migration. They first moved to Ramrod Key, Fla., to live with his sister, Nancy, until the Florida Keys became too hot and humid (turns out Dan was not fond of hurricanes). A move to Gloucester, Virginia, in 1996 found them living close to his brother, Mo. Once again, the cold weather was affecting Dan, so in 2014 they moved farther south again—to Cape Coral, Florida and close to his brother, Frank. Dan loved his family and enjoyed living close to siblings and extended family members. He was especially close to his cousin, Joan Hobin Maddocks of Hanson, Mass. Dan and Joan, whose mothers were siblings, were born the same day in the same hospital (30 minutes apart) and shared the same hospital room (which resulted in a photo in The Boston Globe).

Dan loved the outdoors. During the summer, you could always find him poolside, playing tennis, or off biking somewhere. Winter meant ski season. He taught his sister, Nancy, how to ski, paying for numerous ski trips and equipment. He thoroughly enjoyed his ski trips with his brother Frank’s family. Those memories are precious to all.
Fifty-four years ago, Dan faced a terminal illness. While in Walter Reed Army Hospital, he said ‘good-bye’ to family members and friends. He gave his funeral directions to his 18-year-old sister, Nancy, in August 1970. When he came home in October 1970, he was considered a medical miracle. His VA doctors were always amazed at his recovery. Though through the years, he faced medical challenges, there was nothing that prevented him from living fully and making the most of life. It wasn’t until the last couple of years that his life was impacted by his previous medical issues and Alzheimer’s disease. Through it all, he never lost his zest for life and enjoyment of family.

Dan’s last days were in the Cape Coral Hospital where he was dealing with complications related to Alzheimer’s. His wife, Toni, and sister, Nancy, were by his bedside when he peacefully passed, knowing he was loved by his family. The medical staff at Cape Coral Hospital were lovely, warm, supportive and caring of Dan, Toni and Nancy those final days. The family is truly thankful for all they did.

A private Celebration of Dan’s Life is planned for June 2025 in Massachusetts.

In lieu of flowers, for those who wish to honor Dan’s memory, the family kindly requests donations to any of the following organizations: Veterans of Foreign Wars: heroes.vfw.org, Lee Health Foundation: leehealthfoundation.org, Alzheimer’s Association: https://act.alz.org.