Thomas Patrick Lynch 1908-19/6/1942.

TRAGIC DEATH

A sad and tragic accident occurred at the Head of Lake on Friday last involving the death of Mr Thomas Patrick Lynch, eldest son of Mrs G. Lynch and the late Patrick Lynch. The deceased, who has been in the employ of the Lake County Council for the last eighteen months, on the day of his death was driving a grader from Glenorchy to Paradise in the evening. Some six chains before reaching the Earnslaw bridge the grader, in travelling down hill, apparently went over the left-hand side of the road at a turn and down a 12ft bank, landing on its wheels. It is conjectured that deceased sustained the full weight of the grader when it toppled over and was killed outright. Nothing was known of the tragedy until mid-day on Saturday when a passer-by saw the vehicle, and the body was subsequently discovered. The police were advised of the fatality on Saturday and a launch proceeded to the Head of Lake late on Saturday afternoon conveying Constable Dougherty and the County inspector, Mr T. S. Lonsdale. The body was brought to Queenstown early on Sunday morning. 

The late Mr Lynch was a native of the district and was 34 years of age. He spent the greater part of his life at Sandhills, Shotover, where he carried on mining with his late father. Of an unassuming and kindly nature, Tom Lynch was very well liked and respected by his fellow men. He was, moreover, a conscientious and splendid worker. The sympathy of the whole district is tendered to the sorrowing mother and his three brothers, James, Frank, who is a prisoner of war, and Kevin, who is studying in America. 

The funeral took place on Monday last. In the morning Requiem Mass was held in St. Joseph’s Church and the cortege left the latter in the afternoon for the Queenstown cemetery. A large number of town and district people attended the funeral, the last rites being performed by the Rev. Father Martin, assisted by Rev. Father Fitzgibbon. The members of the Holy Name Society were present at the graveside as a mark of respect. A guard of honour was formed inside the cemetery gate by the local Homeguardsmen.  -Lake Wakatip Mail, 25/6/1942.

Queenstown Cemetery.