Thomas P. Lynch, 98

REHOBOTH BEACH - Thomas P. Lynch, of Rehoboth Beach, and formerly of Seaford, died Thursday, March 5, 2009, in the Delaware Hospice Center of Milford. He was 98. Born in Roxana, he was the son of the late Elbert W. and Olivia (Parsons) Lynch. A three-letter star athlete, Tom graduated from Selbyville High School in 1928 and attended Beacom College on a full athletic scholarship including football, basketball and baseball. In 1936, he opened the first dry cleaning business in Seaford, Certified Cleaners. From 1946 to 1957, Tom was a salesman for the former Whitmoyer Laboratories in Millsboro. In 1957, he joined the Peninsula Oil Company in Seaford and retired as the Sales Manager in 1975. He was a member of St. John's United Methodist Church in Seaford and a charter member of the Seaford Golf & Country Club and the Seaford Swimming Pool Association. Also, he was a former member of the American Legion and the Seaford Lions Club and had served on the City of Seaford's Planning Committee in the early 1950s. In addition to being an avid golfer, playing into his mid 80s, and having a lifelong interest in automobiles, Tom also enjoyed dancing, bridge and stamp and coin collecting. His wife of 60 years, Jane K. Lynch, preceded him in death in 2008. He is survived by three children, Patricia L. Haas and her husband Theodore of Lewes, Sandra L. Hayden and her husband Joseph of Elkton, Md., and Dr. T. Gregory Lynch and his wife Patricia of Bear. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Kristen Perez, Gretchen Wyshock, Benjamin Hayden, and Colleen, Lauren and Thomas Lynch; and two great-grandchildren, Kathryn and Tanner Wyshock. A memorial service was held 11 a.m. Saturday, March 21, 2009, at Hastings Funeral Home in Selbyville. Burial will be private in Bishopville Cemetery, Bishopville, Md. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to St. John's United Methodist Church, 300 N. Pine St., Seaford, DE 19973, or Delaware Hospice Inc., 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963. Condolences can be sent by visiting www.hastingsfuneralhome.net.