In memoriam: Friar Kevin Lynch, OFM

Friar Kevin Lynch was born April 10th, 1938, to Laurence J. (Larry) and Margaret P. (Peggy) (Thompson) Lynch. He was named John Terence and known as Terry in his early years.
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The youngest of three boys, young Kevin was born and grew up in the Peace River Country, in the town of McLennan, Alberta. He attended school there before following in his brothers’ footsteps and heading to St. Anthony’s College in Edmonton, where he graduated from high school and then stayed on to study philosophy and arts.

He then made his vows with the Franciscan Friars in 1958, and studied theology in Montreal prior to his ordination to the priesthood. On June 16th, 1962, he was ordained at St. John the Baptist Cathedral in McLennan.

Following his ordination, he completed a graduate degree in philosophy at the University of Ottawa, followed by an education degree at the University of Alberta. He taught science and religion at St. Anthony’s College and Archbishop O’Leary High School in Edmonton for seven years.

In 1972, Friar Kevin spent a sabbatical year at Corpus Christi College in London, England, where he completed a diploma in Religious Education. It was during this year that he met his father’s large Irish family for the first time. A deep bond formed, and there were numerous visits with his Irish family over the years.

Upon his return, Friar Kevin was appointed Director of Religious Education for Edmonton Catholic Schools (1973-1995) and served as Provincial Minister to the Franciscans of Western Canada (1982-1992). He served as the Guardian in three friaries over the years.
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Upon his retirement from Edmonton Catholic Schools, Friar Kevin returned to studies and graduated with a Master of Theology from Regis College in Toronto through their “Integration for Ministry” program.

Friar Kevin’s latter years were spent in retreat ministry at St. Michael’s Retreat Centre (Lumsden, SK), from 1996-2007, where he founded and chaired an interchurch board composed of the Anglicans, Evangelical Lutherans and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Regina, which operated the Centre.

From 2007 he served at Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre (Cochrane, AB) in various capacities, including Director of the Centre (2007-2015). In a second retirement, he continued to work with the addiction program and remained active with spiritual direction.

Friar Kevin touched many people along his journey. He enriched the lives of his family and friends, presiding over many baptisms, weddings and funerals. He was humble, kind, charismatic, approachable, wise and had a special way of bringing people together. He had a gift of making everyone around him, no matter their age or beliefs, feel welcomed and loved, embodying the Franciscan mission in his daily life.

Friar Kevin died peacefully, with family at his side, in the Foothills Hospital during the early hours of December 19th. He was 87 years of age.

He was predeceased by his parents and his two brothers, Tom (Annette Laplante) and Michael (Betty Lou O’Rourke). He leaves to mourn his Franciscan brothers, his nieces and nephews – Kevin, Bryan, Larry and Erin Lynch, Nicole Mackenzie and Dawn Marie Crouse and their families, cousins in Saskatchewan, many Irish relatives and treasured friends.

Visitation and Prayer Service will take place at Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre chapel (41160 Retreat Road, Cochrane, AB), on Sunday, December 28th, at 7:00 pm.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Monday December 29th at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church (10 River Heights Drive), in Cochrane, AB, followed by a lunch.

Interment will follow after lunch at the Franciscan cemetery at the retreat centre.
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In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre, Box 430, Cochrane, AB, T4C-1A6, in memory of Friar Kevin.

The funeral will be live-streamed

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Adapted from Mount St. Francis's blog