Ralph W. Lynch

COLEBROOK – Ralph William Lynch, 83, of Colebrook, NH died peacefully at his home on Sunday evening, Aug. 31, 2025, with his wife and sister at his side after a long period of declining health. He had had a good weekend with visits from his two daughters, their families, and extended members of his family. He was born in West Stewartstown, N.H., on March 15, 1942, a son to the late J. Kenneth Lynch, Sr., and Dorothy S. (Barker) Lynch. Ralph attended the local schools and was a 1960 graduate of Colebrook Academy. He was drafted into the Army and served with honor from 1964-1966 with overseas time in the Dominican Republic. When he returned home, Ralph made a career as a heavy truck parts specialist in the region. He worked for several automotive parts outlets, including Napa Auto Parts, Sanel’s, and O’Reilly’s. He was familiar with every big truck garage and delivered to all of them frequently. In his retirement, Ralph also worked for Brooks Chevrolet, taking trips to pick up or deliver new automobiles for the dealership. Freemasonry was a very big part of Ralph’s life. Having been raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in 1988, he was a two-term Past Master of Evening Star Lodge #37, F&AM, in Colebrook, in 1994 and 2014, and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Mt. Eustis Chapter No. 1, serving as Worthy Patron multiple times. He was the secretary of Evening Star Lodge for 13 years. As part of his Masonic service, in 1998 Ralph was honored to be awarded the Major General John Sullivan Medal in bronze. He was also a lifetime member of the John W. Weeks VFW Post 3041 in Lancaster, the George L. O’Neil American Legion Post 62 in Colebrook, and more recently he was a member of the American Legion Riders, a social motorcycle riding group that affectionately referred to Ralph as the “Old Goat.” Family was extremely important to Ralph. He would do anything for his daughters, including things they didn’t know they needed done. He was supportive of not only his daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, but also his sons-in-law and grandsons-in-law. Ralph valued his relationships with his sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, and cousins, as well as those with the Pires and Placy families. Most recently, he enjoyed riding with Barb on their trikes. Ralph is survived by his loving wife of 12 years, Barbara Pires Lynch of Colebrook; his two daughters, Helen Robertson and husband Steve, and Tina Chasse and husband Daniel, Sr., all of St. Johnsbury, Vt.; a sister, Martha Fedele of Newport, Vt.; ten grandchildren, Elizabeth (Robert) Little, Mary (Dillon) Kasel, Ericka (Reilly) Davis, Michael Robertson, Daniel (Andrew) Chasse, Jr, and Patrick, Rebecca, Anna (JJ McNeal), Joseph and Simon Robertson, and five great-grandchildren, Hope, Carter, Abraham, Mazikeen, and Theresa; as well as beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins too numerous to list. He is predeceased by two brothers, Richard Lynch and John K. Lynch, Jr., and two sisters, Edith Lynch and Norma Covill. Calling hours will be on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook. A Masonic funeral rite will immediately precede at 3:45 p.m. A graveside interment service with military honors will be held the next day, Sunday, Sept. 7, at Noon in the Colebrook Village Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Ralph may be made to the Evening Star Lodge #37 Masonic Scholarship Fund, c/o Matt Smith, Secretary, P.O. Box 241, Errol, NH 03579. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook.

Ralph W. Lynch

March 15, 1942 - August 31, 2025