Robert J. Lynch, Sr., 85, passed away on Monday, September 21, 2015 at his home after a long illness. Born in Holyoke, son of the late John T. and Julia (Kennedy) Lynch, he was a 1948 graduate of Holyoke High School. He attended Fordham University School of Business and a graduate from Army Finance School. He lived in South Hadley for fifty-eight years. Robert was a manager at the former Insurance Company of North America in Springfield and also worked in the business office at Holyoke Community College. He was a ten year volunteer for Loaves & Fishes (Open Pantry) in Springfield and a five gallon blood donor. He was also a member of the Massachusetts Citizens for Life, a former member of Heatlh Trax in East Longmeadow and a communicant of St. Jerome Church in Holyoke. Robert was an army veteran of the Korean War and served as a sergeant in Japan and Korea. An avid sports fan, he played softball with several area teams including Mastroianni's of Springfield. He was one of the founders of the South Hadley Youth Hockey and served on the Board of Directors of the South Hadley Youth Hockey and Tri-City. He also coached baseball and basketball for CYASH. The family would like to thank Mercy Home Care and the many nurses that cared for Bob as well as the therapist that provided exceptional care to him. He leaves his loving wife of sixty years, Ruth Eileen (Bell) Lynch, his eight children, Eileen Borders and her husband William of Lynn, Kathleen Czepiel and her husband Michael of West Springfield, Patricia Dittrich and her husband Paul of Holyoke, Rosemary Larrow and her husband Mark of South Hadley, Robert Lynch, Jr. of Westfield, Joan Gazaille and her husband Daniel of Palmer, Ruth Shields and her husband John of Monson, and Michael Lynch of South Hadley. He is also survivied by his thirteen grandsons, Timothy, Shaun and Ryan Borders, Michael and Matthew Czepiel, Andrew and his wife Karen Lynch, Erich Dittrich, Jonathan, Patrick and Christopher Larrow, Joseph and Matthew Gazaille, Liam Shields of Monson, a granddaughter Madeleine Gazaille and a great-granddaughter, Lily Czepiel. He also leaves many nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to a Funeral Mass on Saturday at 10am in St. Patrick's Chapel of St. Jerome Church, 169 Hampden St., Holyoke. The burial will follow in St. Jerome Cemetery, Northampton St. Calling hours are Friday from 4-7pm at CURRAN-O'BRIEN FUNERAL HOME, 33 Lamb Street, South Hadley. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob's memory may be made to Jericho/Bureau for Exceptional Children & Adults, Box 1039, Holyoke, MA 01040-1039 or the Loaves & Fishes (Open Pantry), Box 5127, Springfield, MA 01101-5127.