LYNCH, David John
February 17, 1963 – January 8, 2016
We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved brother David John Lynch died at the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary on January 8, 2016 at 52 years of age.
David was predeceased by his loving and devoted parents, Donald and Phyllis Lynch. In addition to his sisters, Trish (Michael) Rahm and Donna Anderson, he leaves behind his nephew John Rahm and family; one aunt, Beverley Rose; numerous cousins and their families; and many other people whose hearts he captured, not least with his winning smile and joie de vivre. David cared about people with an open, giving heart and gave his love unconditionally. He liked to help people with anything and especially loved children.
David was born in Calgary, February 17, 1963, a birthday gift for his mother. He lived in Calgary, Lethbridge, Didsbury (briefly), and Olds. He graduated from Horizon School in Olds. David was the #1 fan of the Olds Grizzlys hockey team and had season tickets to their home games every year. He loved being in nature, especially spending weekends and summers at the “Old Boot Ranch” with his parents, aunts, uncles, cousins and sometimes his sisters. He loved all animals, especially birds, dogs, and the cats in his group home. He loved trips to the zoo, music and dancing, bowling and floor hockey, swimming and fishing, jigsaw puzzles, his work at the Olds Bottle Depot, going to the rodeo and attending jam sessions at the Olds Legion. He had an uncanny ability to detect the smallest details of life around him and delighted in telling everyone what he was seeing. He could spot high flying hawks and eagles without even seeming to search for them. Take him somewhere once and he could guide you back there. He was a great talker, providing a running commentary on everything. He was always raring to go on the next adventure. He won medals in track and field at the Canadian Special Olympics Summer Games in Sudbury, Ontario in 1998 and was chosen to be on the Canadian Team at the World Special Olympics Summer Games in 1999 in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he won more awards. He rose above his fear of flying in order to attend these events, and then to be able to visit his beloved sister, Trish (“Terss” to David) and her husband Mike in California and Qualicum Beach, even making a trip to Hawaii with them.
David was a very special person who will be missed and remembered by many people. Our heartfelt thanks go to ASC and the staff of David’s Group Home, “Res 2”, for their care over more than 30 years and for all the opportunities they made available to him. We also extend our sincere gratitude to the first responders in Olds; to Stars Air Ambulance; to the Foothills Emergency Department; and to all the nurses, doctors, and other staff of the Foothills Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, including the social workers, palliative care nurse and spiritual care provider for their amazing care of both David and ourselves, his sisters, during the last four days of his life.
A Celebration of David’s Life will take place at The Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 105, ( 5241 – 46 Street, Olds, Alberta ) on Thursday, January 21, 2016 at 1:30 P.M..
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Calgary Zoo that David loved at The Calgary Zoological Society, 1300 Zoo Road N.E., Calgary, Alberta T2E 7V6 or www.calgaryzoo.com
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This obituary captures so much of what David was to all of us. We should all be able to go through life with the joy he did and know the love that was given by him and to him. A special man who I know helped shaped the men our son’s are because of their contact with their cuz Dave.
David was always a very special nephew and (cousin)to our whole family especially since he was born on his mother’s birthday in Feb., the same year that our Dave was born on my birthday in April that year. I remember when we took both Davids in one carriage to the zoo when they were both infants as we were visiting them at the time. He was always very special to us and we all remember his big smile whenever we got together over the years (even thoough it was not often as we were mamy miles apart). God bless you David. May you rest in peace with your Mom and Dad once again. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family at this time.
Dear Donna and Trish,
We are very sorry to hear about David’s passing. I remember fondly the family times we had with you and the joy that David found in all things. We are thinking of you and your families and send our heartfelt condolenses.