Robert "Bob" Lynch

Robert Lynch is the first born child of Charles C. and  Nellie Dale Lynch born  on August 29, 1918. Bob had two sisters, Lillian and Dorothy. Bob has many nieces and nephews living in MA, North Carolina, Oregon and Florida. He is the grandson of Charles E. Lynch and Mary Brannigan with a very Irish background and John C. Dale (Irish decent) and Wilhemina Peterson who was born in Sweden.  Bob's father, Charles, served in the Spanish American War as part of the First U.S. Volunteer Cavalry under the leadership of Theodore Roosevelt known as the “Rough Riders."  His mother Nellie was a midwife.

Bob's early life was spent in Brockton, Massachusetts where he attended and graduated from Brockton High School.  While attending school he played football and especially liked playing baseball. When President Roosevelt came to Brockton, Bob and his friends were watching the motorcade when they were approached by the Secret Service.  They were questioned on how to get to Quincy.  Of course they knew, so they were invited to ride in the motorcade directing the way.  They only wished they had a camera but no one could afford a camera at that time.

Bob always talked of the political campaigning that was done in those days.  The candidate would stand on the corner where people would gather and the candidate would give his speech.  After the speech, everyone was given coffee and a donut!  This was a fond memory of such a time in history.

After high school Bob worked at the Rubber Factory in Stoughton, Massachusetts making heels for shoes.  The city of Brockton was known as “Shoe City” in those days. After leaving the Rubber Factory Bob went to work at the shipyard in Quincy known as Bethlehem Steel Co.

Bob eventually met Rosalie (Ro) Pecoraro. The couple met through a graduation picture he saw of her. When Bob married Ro, he married into a very large Italian family including all the traditions. There were those Sunday family gatherings at his mother and father in-laws (Gaetano and Rita Pecoraro) where he would be served the traditional Italian foods, and so it began – his love for Italian food!

In 1943 Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was assigned to the Pacific Theatre during World War II. He was sent to Long Beach, California for deployment.  Ro traveled alone by train to see him and fell in love with California.  When she returned to Massachusetts she did her “sales pitch” to her family (mother, father and brothers) to move to California.  Bob served overseas from 1943 to 1946 and when he arrived in Long Beach, California his aunt told him that Ro and her family were living in Long Beach.  The “sales pitch” worked!

Bob then began his career with the U.S. Postal Service and served for 36 years.  He retired from the U.S. Postal Service on August 29, 1980, as Director of Customer Service. Bob served for 36 years and has been retired for 42 years!

Bob and Ro were married for 79 years during which they had 2 daughters, Rita and Patti, who were raised in Long Beach, 4 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren (three of which are a set of triplets.

Bob and Rosalie moved into Leisure World, March 17, 1999 on St. Patrick's Day. That made St. Patrick’s Day even more special for Bob since this holiday is a favorite!

Bob passed away peacefully on July 13, 2022 with his daughters by his side.