William Lynch, Jr

William Lynch, Jr. (Pat), 82, passed away on December 1, 2022 in St. Johnsbury, Vt. Pat was born in Pinewald, NJ in 1940, and was raised in Tuckerton on his grandparent's Warren and Louisa Jillson's farm. Pat was pre-deceased by his father William Lynch, who was killed during WWII in the Battle of the Bulge, and his mother Lydia Heinrichs.

Pat graduated from the last graduating class of the old Tuckerton High School in 1957. He joined the Navy right out of high school and was stationed in Germany and Iceland. While in Germany, he was able to visit his father's grave in the American Cemetery in Luxembourg.

After the Navy, Pat joined the Coast Guard as a career "coastie". In the Coast Guard, Pat spent a year stationed in Alaska during the 1960's, and he served a tour of duty in the Vietnam war aboard the high endurance cutter USCGC Morgenthau in the early ?O's. After retiring from the Coast Guard in 1984, Pat lived full time in an RV, and in his words, lived the "RV way of life" traveling the entire United States until the time of his death. In 2005, he married the love of his life, Ruth (Taylor), and she joined him as co-pilot in his traveling adventures until her death in 2015. Pat and Ruth spent many summers at their favorite place, Moose River Campground in St. Johnsbury, VT which was truly his "happy place".

One of Pat's lifelong passions was deer hunting. He spent many happy, enjoyable (and sometimes comical) hours hunting up on "the bombing range" in Warren Grove with family and friends, before he had to give up hunting due to health issues. Some of those legendary deer hunting adventures became some of the fondest memories of his life.

Besides his father and mother, Pat was pre-deceased by his loving wife Ruth in 2015, and two sisters, Elsie Bower and Mabel Allen and his brother David Heinrichs. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Douglas and Kathleen, grandson John (Jacki), granddaughter Caroline (Devin), his great-grandson's William, Thomas and Waylon, and his great­ granddaughter Hailey. Pat is also survived by his brother Dale Heinrichs, sister's Eileen Kaufholz (Ed) and Georgiana Kostiuk, and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins too numerous to mention.

Pat was most proud of his time serving his country in the military, as his father and grandfather had done before him. He loved God, his country, and his family and many dear friends. He had a true gift for gab, and never went anywhere that he didn't meet up with someone he knew. He always made a point to thank a fellow military veteran for their service and strike up a conversation.

As per Pat's request, there will be no services. To all that loved him, take a moment to think of a happy time shared with him.