Don Lynch
October 17, 1931 –
Don Lynch was born 5 pounds, 5 ounces on October 17, 1931 at St. Anne’s Hospital in the community of Austin in Chicago to Ashford and Grace Lynch.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>
He attended several elementary schools, some twice, because his parents’ loud fights caused them to move often. Don lost his mother when he was 9 years old. He graduated from John Hay Elementary School and Austin High School with a General Science Major and History minor, completing Jr. R.O.T.C. training. Major letters in Rifle Team and Concert Band. He was a member of the Illinois (Jr. Champions three consecutive years) Grenadiers Drum & Bugle Corps. National Champion Jr. Color Guard. He was a member of Austin Y, Methodist Church, Boy Builders, Jehovah’s Witnesses. His part-time jobs included the <i>Saturday Evening Post</i>, making bowling shoes, pinsetter and a paper route for three years.
He was married to Rita, and they had four children, Dona, Jeff, Donald Scott and Susan.
He attended part-time business classes at Wright Jr. and Loop Jr. colleges in addition to working full time jobs.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>
He became an apprentice printer, attended and graduated from union printers program at Washburn High School while working full time as an apprentice at <i>Wall Street Journal</i> and <i>Drovers Journa</i>l. Two years into his apprentice program, he was displaced by veterans returning to guaranteed jobs. He worked full time in route sales as diaper man, then as a milkman for a total of five years until he was re-hired to finish his apprenticeship. He delivered pizzas part-time to augment apprentice pay. He graduated six-year union apprentice training as a journeyman printer in International Typographical Union.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>
Went to work for the <i>Chicago Sun-Times</i>. Temporarily loaned to the circulation department as Suburban District Manager. Graduated armed security guard school. Twenty some years later, graduated from Chicago School of Massage Therapy. He left the <i>Sun Times</i> to work full-time as licensed (in Chicago and Waukegan) massage therapist. He took and passed the pilot A.M.T.A. exam and a year later took the official exam and became a nationally certified massage therapist until retiring and moving to Florida.
Upon moving to Ruskin, he joined Moorings HOA and “learned” golf and bridge. He moved to Hawaiian Isles Mobile Home Park and was elected to the board of HOA, given care of free medical equipment. He was the President of the South Hillsborough Action Plan for Emergency (S.H.A.P.E.) under the umbrella of Hillsborough Emergency Managment and Tampa Red Cross. He was a member of the Seabugs, Ruskin Pepper Tree Patrol, Ruskin Civic Assn. and Ruskin Elks. He joined the Computer Club, Ballroom Dance and Square Dance, Line Dance and Dance Clubs in Ruskin.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>
Moving to Sun City Center, he married Suzanne, “my favorite wife.” He joined the Computer Club, Ballroom Dance, Illinois Club, Irish Club and various other clubs. He was elected to the HOA board. He studied mediation. Worked three years on the SCC Emergency Squad and 10 years on the SCC Security Patrol. He graduated Sheriff’s Citizen Academy in 2009 and 2016. Fulfilled most of<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Bucket List. He found God’s will better to follow than Don’s.
He attended several elementary schools, some twice, because his parents’ loud fights caused them to move often. Don lost his mother when he was 9 years old. He graduated from John Hay Elementary School and Austin High School with a General Science Major and History minor, completing Jr. R.O.T.C. training. Major letters in Rifle Team and Concert Band. He was a member of the Illinois (Jr. Champions three consecutive years) Grenadiers Drum & Bugle Corps. National Champion Jr. Color Guard. He was a member of Austin Y, Methodist Church, Boy Builders, Jehovah’s Witnesses. His part-time jobs included the <i>Saturday Evening Post</i>, making bowling shoes, pinsetter and a paper route for three years.
He was married to Rita, and they had four children, Dona, Jeff, Donald Scott and Susan.
He attended part-time business classes at Wright Jr. and Loop Jr. colleges in addition to working full time jobs.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>
He became an apprentice printer, attended and graduated from union printers program at Washburn High School while working full time as an apprentice at <i>Wall Street Journal</i> and <i>Drovers Journa</i>l. Two years into his apprentice program, he was displaced by veterans returning to guaranteed jobs. He worked full time in route sales as diaper man, then as a milkman for a total of five years until he was re-hired to finish his apprenticeship. He delivered pizzas part-time to augment apprentice pay. He graduated six-year union apprentice training as a journeyman printer in International Typographical Union.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>
Went to work for the <i>Chicago Sun-Times</i>. Temporarily loaned to the circulation department as Suburban District Manager. Graduated armed security guard school. Twenty some years later, graduated from Chicago School of Massage Therapy. He left the <i>Sun Times</i> to work full-time as licensed (in Chicago and Waukegan) massage therapist. He took and passed the pilot A.M.T.A. exam and a year later took the official exam and became a nationally certified massage therapist until retiring and moving to Florida.
Upon moving to Ruskin, he joined Moorings HOA and “learned” golf and bridge. He moved to Hawaiian Isles Mobile Home Park and was elected to the board of HOA, given care of free medical equipment. He was the President of the South Hillsborough Action Plan for Emergency (S.H.A.P.E.) under the umbrella of Hillsborough Emergency Managment and Tampa Red Cross. He was a member of the Seabugs, Ruskin Pepper Tree Patrol, Ruskin Civic Assn. and Ruskin Elks. He joined the Computer Club, Ballroom Dance and Square Dance, Line Dance and Dance Clubs in Ruskin.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>
Moving to Sun City Center, he married Suzanne, “my favorite wife.” He joined the Computer Club, Ballroom Dance, Illinois Club, Irish Club and various other clubs. He was elected to the HOA board. He studied mediation. Worked three years on the SCC Emergency Squad and 10 years on the SCC Security Patrol. He graduated Sheriff’s Citizen Academy in 2009 and 2016. Fulfilled most of<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Bucket List. He found God’s will better to follow than Don’s.