William “Bill” Francis Lynn, 86, passed on from this earth on Nov. 11, 2020. He lived a long and wonderful life. He and his wife, Anne (Dooher), shared a lifetime of memories, and most recently, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Dec. 26, 2019, with family and close friends. He and Anne raised six children, who in turn gave them 21 grandchildren. His family adored him, and he them. He was a good listener and confidant, sparing with advice, but when he gave it, shared gems of wisdom. He had a wonderful sense of humor, and keen intellect. He was larger than life to all who knew and loved him.
Bill was the proud son of Irish immigrants, Catherine and William Lynn. He grew up in the Tipperary Hill neighborhood in Syracuse, where he graduated from St. Patrick’s High School in 1952. A competitive athlete, he was a Parochial League All-Star for his prowess on the basketball court. He went on to receive his bachelor’s degree from the College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA (1957,) and law degree from Syracuse University School of Law (1960.) More than these academic achievements, Bill was a lifelong learner, who inspired his children and grandchildren to keep learning, reading and expanding the mind. He even inspired later-in-life avocations, as he and his wife became successful racehorse owners and breeders. He loved the horses, and always acknowledged the efforts of the hands-on crew who cared for them in New York, Kentucky and Florida.
Bill practiced law in Syracuse for over 60 years, starting under the tutelage of the late Paul R. Shanahan who, at the time, was one of the finest criminal defense attorneys in New York state. When Paul died in 1988, Bill was joined in his law practice by his daughter, Patricia A. Lynn-Ford. By that point, he had been recognized by his peers as one of the best civil and criminal trial attorneys in the country, with his induction in 1981, into the American College of Trial Lawyers, a national organization of trial lawyers representing the highest standards of excellence and ethics. Bill grew the firm to what it is today, a small partnership, including his son, Martin, of highly accomplished trial attorneys, Lynn Law Firm, LLP. He will be remembered not just for his achievements, and reputation, but also as a lawyer’s lawyer—one from whom lawyers sought advice and counsel.
To his grandchildren, Bill was known as “Big Guy,” and that he was in so many ways. His steadfast life and commitment to core values of faith, family and work, have been the guidepost for his family.
A celebration of Bill’s life and funeral mass will be celebrated at private services at St. Mary’s of the Lake Church in Skaneateles. The mass will be livestreamed at 10 a.m. ET at ustream.tv/channel/visual-technologies.
Bill is survived by his wife, Anne, daughters Patricia Lynn-Ford (Steven Ford), and Theresa Lynn (Alan Sahatjian), and sons, William, Thomas (Leslie), Timothy (Cynthia) and Martin (Tara), and grandchildren Daniel Ford (Olivia), Eileen Ford, Emma Ford, Abigail Lynn, Katherine Lynn, Aubreah Lynn, Fallon Lynn, Andrew Sahatjian William Sahatjian, Steven Sahatjian, Joseph Lynn, Sarah Lynn, John Lynn, Mary Grace Lynn, Casey Lynn, Anne Lynn, Luke Lynn, Dawson Lynn, William Lynn, Jane Lynn, George Lynn. He is also survived by his sister, Dr. Mary Lynn Collins, and many nieces and nephews, friends and relations. He was predeceased by his brother, John “Jack” P. Lynn.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Catherine and William Lynn Memorial Scholarship Fund at Le Moyne College, Le Moyne College Office of Advancement, PO Box 527, 1419 Salt Springs Road, Syracuse, NY 13214, lemoyne.edu/give (identify gift as for Lynn Family Scholarship) or the Skaneateles Volunteer Fire Department, 77 West Genesee Street, Skaneateles, NY 13152, supportsvfd.com.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.
