Jerry was born in Cork, Ireland on August 26, 1924 and was the eldest of 5 siblings. He was married to his beloved wife Pat from 1949 to 2005 when she passed away. They had 5 children: Garry, Shelley, Jeannie, John,and Paul; and six grandchildren. He loved being with his family best of all, and we all thought the world of him. He was a much beloved Dad, Granddad, Brother, Uncle, Great Uncle, and friend to all. Everyone he met felt better for being with him because he liked people and was such a lovable person.

Jerry's Uncle Danny (Daniel) Lynch Aug 18, 1884 - July 25, 1947 was shot by a sniper on Jan 26, 1915 during WWI, and joined St Dunstan's April 19, 1915.

Jerry joined the Cameronians in 1943 and said, “I went over to Normandy on June 15, 1944 (D Day + 9) and landed on Sword Beach. I was shot by a sniper Sept 9, 1944 when I put my head up out of a bunker, and knew nothing more for two weeks. When I next woke up I was in the Atkinson Morley Hospital, Wimbledon. After about a week I said to myself that ‘I had to make the best of it’; and that’s how I’ve always tried to live my life.” 

Jerry's independent fighting spirit enabled him to transcend his disability throughout his life, and kept him going to the very end. He also joined St Dunstan's, now  Blind Veterans, who were always there to help Dad, provided exemplary care when Jerry moved back into BVs, and are still supporting the family at this time.

Jerry was known for his positive outlook, can do attitude, and he would chat with and befriend anyone. He always had a smile, a story, a joke, and a song to entertain. He was a grand story teller with an exceptional memory for detail that helped bring the old days to life. He loved sport, animals, jazz and big band music, and could remember all the words to the old songs. He sang with his sisters: May, Marge & Bridget still with us; with his brother Joe; and with his sister Sheila who he also won dance competitions with. He learnt to play the drums in a little house on Rucklidge Avenue in London where his family "let him bang away after he lost his eyesight". He went on to play the drums in St Dunstan's Bands with his best friend Ernie Cookson; and later in life he sat in on the drums with The Climax Jazz Band every time he came to Toronto, Canada.

Jerry had a big family and a wonderful life. He had many jobs and liked being a shop keeper. However, the “best job he ever had” was as a telephonist at a Bank where he said, “My memory helped me with all the names and numbers at work, and I liked dealing with people.” He made a point of going up to London for the Remembrance Day Parade every year he could escorted by many different family members over the years. Jerry stayed in his own home with help from his children, especially Jeannie and John, before moving into Blind Veterans as he always wished if it became necessary.

He died peacefully aged 91 on Dec 24th 2015, at Blind Veterans surrounded by his children in England. Dad will always be in our hearts and never far from our thoughts. This Tribute fund is in his memory to help Blind Veterans continue their excellent work with all our thanks.

Jerry was a grand man, who lived a long and happy life, and we are all the richer for having him be part of ours. He lived life to the fullest and never once complained about anything or anyone. He was simply a role model for getting on with things, always making the best of what life had to offer, and giving an unconditional love that we may all aspire too. 

Thank you for all the happy times and memories, with much love from all of us near and far Jerry / Dad / Pops / Grandee x x x x x

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal
Love leaves a memory no one can steal

~ From a Headstone in Ireland.