Robert Lynch is the first born child of Charles C. and Nellie Dale Lynch born on August 29, 1918. Bob had two sisters, Lillian and Dorothy and he is the only surviving sibling. He is the grandson of Charles E. Lynch and Mary Brannigan with a very Irish background and John C. Dale (Irish decent) and Wilhemina Peterson who was born in Sweden. Bob’s father, Charles, served in the Spanish American War as part of the First U.S. Volunteer Cavalry under the leadership of Theodore Roosevelt known as the “Rough Riders.” His mother Nellie was a midwife.
Bob’s early life was spent in Brockton, Massachusetts where he attended and graduated from Brockton High School. While attending school he played football and especially liked playing baseball. One of his friends who also played baseball, was Rocky Marciano, who later became an American Professional Boxer winning the heavyweight title from 1952 to 1956. He is the only heavyweight champion to have finished his career undefeated including a fight with Mohammed Ali. He was certainly a “hometown hero.”
When President Roosevelt came to Brockton, Bob and his friends were watching the motorcade when they were approached by the Secret Service. They were questioned on how to get to Quincy. Of course they knew, so they were invited to ride in the motorcade directing the way. When Bob passed his family on the corner of Winter Street and waved to them, they were quite surprised and shocked! They only wished they had a camera but no one could afford a camera at that time.
Bob always talks of the political campaigning that was done in those days. The candidate would stand on the corner where people would gather and the candidate would give his speech. After the speech, everyone was given coffee and a donut! This was another fond memory of such a time in history.
After high school Bob worked at the Rubber Factory in Stoughton, making heels for shoes. The city of Brockton was known as “Shoe City” in those days. After leaving the Rubber Factory Bob went to work at the shipyard in Quincy known as Bethlehem Steel Co.
Bob eventually met Rosalie (Ro) Pecoraro. The couple met through a graduation picture he saw of her. Bob went to a Halloween party with his good friend Chet and Chet’s girlfriend when he noticed a picture of Ro displayed on the piano. Chet’s girlfriend gave Bob Ro’s telephone number and one year later he contacted her. They were married on August 31, 1941 after a two and one half year courtship and Chet was the “Best Man” at their wedding.
When Bob married Ro, he married into a very large Italian family including all the traditions. There were those Sunday family gatherings at his mother and father in-laws (Gaetano and Rita Pecoraro) where he would be served the traditional Italian foods, and so it began – his love for Italian food!
The early years of their marriage were spent in Brockton. In 1943 Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was assigned to the Pacific Theatre during World War II. He was sent to Long Beach, California for deployment. Ro traveled alone by train to see him and fell in love with California. When she returned to Massachusetts she did her “sales pitch” to her family (mother, father and brothers) to move to California. Bob served overseas from 1943 to 1946 and when he arrived in Long Beach, California he called his aunt who lived in Glendale. During their conversation his aunt told him that Ro and her family were living in Long Beach. The “sales pitch” worked!
Bob then began his career with the U.S. Postal Service and served for 36 years. He retired from the U.S. Postal Service on August 29, 1980, as Director of Customer Service. Bob served for 36 years and has been retired for 42 years! Rosalie retired from North American Aviation Corporation in 1975.
The traditional family dinners continued after their move to California and just got bigger. Ro had five brothers who also had families so this made the family gatherings rather large and he loved it. After a huge meal, the men would sit around the table and play cards while sipping on that bottle of wine, the women would drink coffee, eat Italian pastries while talking and of course all those kids were having a wonderful time with their cousins. After his in-laws passed Bob and Ro had their once a week spaghetti night also – with perhaps a glass of wine for Bob! Family gatherings and those traditional foods (including corn beef and cabbage – for the Irish in him) are still a part of Bob and his family.
Bob and Ro were married for 79 years during which they had 2 daughters, Rita and Patti, who were raised in Long Beach, 4 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren (three of which are a set of triplets)! Bob and Ro were active in every activity their daughters were participated in. Bob was always the girls’ biggest fan and was there for all of it – dance, baton, music lessons, he was there! Then came the four grandchildren, Stacey, Scott, Tony and Danny and this same support was also bestowed on them. On the weekends, you could find him on a soccer field cheering for the boys , by the pool cheering for Stacey as she did her water ballet, and of course on the beach cheering for Scott as he competed in surf contests. He and Rosalie shared a deep love for family, enjoyed traveling and always enjoyed the company of the many friends they made.
When Bob retired from the U.S. Postal Service it was on a Friday. He and Ro began their travels the next Monday to “see the world” and they did just that! Their first trip was to Europe and they saw all of the European countries. Over the next few years they traveled to China, Japan, Russia, Canada, Ireland, Scotland and, of course, many areas in the United States. This was a dream come true for both of them and they enjoyed every minute of it.
Bob and Rosalie moved into Leisure World, Mutual 15, March 17, 1999 on St. Patrick’s Day. That made St. Patrick’s Day even more special for Bob since this holiday is a favorite! They have always enjoyed spending time with friends, and enjoyed all the activities in Leisure World. The Amphitheatre Shows, the Day Trips and the Christmas show each year in La Mirada to see “The Young Americans”. They also enjoyed hosting their fun Bunco parties and, of course, the wonderful people they have met are just a few of the things they have enjoyed while living here.
In 1996, they became great-grandparents and they were thrilled. As each great-grandchild was born they never missed a birth – yes, they were at each hospital for all 11 great grandchildren. It didn’t matter what time of the night it was – Bob and Ro were there. While awaiting the birth of one of the great-grandchildren (Dylan) Bob called the front gate here at Leisure World to clear the way for Rita to come in the gate. Bob said: “WE’RE HAVING A BABY” the Guard said: WHAT??? When Rita arrived at the gate on that really late (2:00 a.m) rainy night, Security was at its best “ushering” her through to get Bob and Ro. When they exited the gate the guard yelled “BABY? –Security was just as excited as we were! The last birth was especially exciting for the family because the family was blessed with a set of triplets.
Again, Bob and Ro were at those soccer games, dance recitals, dive meets, volleyball games, and baseball games. Chloe, Haley, Dylan, Cami, Madi, Parker, Hanna, Marco, Victoria, Clarisse and Jameson are now being loved by Bob and every milestone in their lives he celebrates with them. Graduations, Birthdays, Awards, and Holidays Bob is there with them and they are grateful.
Last April, Cami got married and what a thrill for Bob to have been there to see this very special occasion. It’s not often that a great-grandparent is able to attend the wedding of one of their great-granddaughters. Bob also attended the 3rd Birthday party for the triplets in September and realized that he was born 100 years before the birth of the triplets! Victoria is pictured with Bob and is one of the triplets. All of the great-grandchildren know how blessed they are to have him.
In 2020, Ro passed away and that was a very difficult time for Bob and his entire family. Bob was also Ro’s biggest fan – encouraging her and supporting her in everything she was involved in. The pandemic was quite bad at that time which made things a little more complicated, but his family pulled together and was able to honor Ro for “A Life So Beautifully Lived.” His family always stays close and visits often. The phone calls and visits from friends and neighbors here at Leisure World have been appreciated and always show him the love and respect he is so deserving of.
Bob is looking forward to celebrating his 104th birthday on August 29, 2022 with family and friends this year.