Thomas Lynch Memorial Scholarship

Hello everyone.

 

On Tuesday, December 28, we lost an amazing person, football coach, educator and mentor to many children. It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share that Thomas Lynch Jr. has left us way too early, leaving behind his wife, Lisa, and three kids, Tommy III (Jackie), Olivia and Tierney.

 

Tom has been a trailblazer and beacon for youth for many generations and we want to continue his legacy for years to come. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the Thomas Lynch Memorial Scholarship. The funds raised will be used to create an annual memorial scholarship in honor of our beloved Coach to reinvest into the future of our community’s athletes so that Coach Lynch can continue to do what he cared most about: making a difference in kids’ lives.

 

Coach Lynch had to suddenly retire last month due to his advancing cancer and worsening condition and was not able to say goodbye to the North Rockland community the way he truly deserved to. Tom fought incredibly hard until the very end and we can find comfort knowing he will forever watch over us all and be carried in the hearts and memories of so many generations of North Rockland students and athletes.

 

In his last months on this earth with us, Tom woke up each day and did what he loved more than anything else in this world: he taught at the North Rockland High School Extension and coached the Red Raiders in varsity football. For all who haven’t had the privilege to know Coach Lynch, he was a person who always showed up for his team… no matter what.

 

The difference he made in the lives of kids went beyond the classroom and football field. At countless fundraisers, Tom was always a familiar face you could expect to see. That's just the type of person he was, supporting and helping everyone he could. If someone needed something, anything, he made it happen - a ride he was there, when one of the boys couldn’t afford something he was there, how many of us had our taxi to and from practice paid for by Coach? This man was full of life, laughter, wisdom and love.

 

Coach went beyond instructing or training. In the world of youth sports, he lived by the motto that “a good coach knows that their job goes far beyond the game.” As a teacher, he also instructed about life and developing character, making the most of the opportunity he had to influence young people and shape tomorrow’s leaders.

 

He leaves behind quite the legacy.  After receiving his Business Economics Degree from SUNY Oneonta in 1983, he did a short stint in sales before he found his true calling and began his 30 year teaching career in New York City and serving the remainder of his tenure with North Rockland. He began his coaching career at Clarkstown South before ultimately moving and staying with North Rockland as the head varsity football coach.

 

Recipient of 1995-1996 The Office of the Superintendent of Bronx high school’ teacher of the year award

1995-1996 Bronx Federation of High School Parents Associations President’s teacher of the year award

1999 Football Coach of the Year (Clarkstown South)

2007 Rockland County Coaches Association Century Club (Clarkstown South/North Rockland Baseball)
2007 Baseball Coach of the Year (North Rockland)

2010 Rockland County umpire association Annual Sportsmanship Award - Dave Siegriest Memorial Sportsmanship Award/North Rockland Baseball

2011 Football Coach of the Year (North Rockland Central School District)

2013 Inducted into the Clarkstown South Hall of Fame for football,​​ wrestling, baseball and Coaching

2018 Section 1 Football Coaches Association Don Dematteo Service Award

 

RIP Coach Tom Lynch! Our angel who has given back in many ways, to so many.

Now it is our turn to help him continue his lifelong quest of teaching and guiding students and athletes and making a difference in kids lives, thank you for your donation!

 

Please share any pics, memories or stories of Coach with us.