Obituary of Sean B. Lynch

Sean B. Lynch, 53, of Stamford, passed away suddenly at his home on July 12, 2023.

Born on June 11, 1970, in Oneonta, Sean was the son of George and Catherine (Eklund) Lynch.

Sean was, first, a father to his daughters Michaela and Georgia, who were the lights of his life. Sean was a true partner in life to his wife Rebecca and brought humor to every situation, whether needed or not, to make their life memorable and full of laughter. He was a loving son, dedicated to making sure that his parents had all that they needed. He was a true brother to his siblings, who took many adventures together throughout their lives that have made up countless comical stories that his family and friends never got tired of hearing. Sean loved his extended family and was a loyal and dedicated uncle, grandson, cousin, nephew, and friend! It was his family and friends that brought him the most joy in his life.

Sean attended St. Mary’s School through first grade and began second grade at Stamford Central, where he and his cousins represented the third generation of the Eklund family to attend. They made up the majority of the school population, because if you know Stamford at all, you know that at least half of the town are Eklunds. Sean made a lifelong group of close friends at SCS with whom he skied at Scotch Valley, fished at Rexmere Lake and Whiting Hollow, played basketball,  baseball, and soccer, where he earned the nickname “Grape Ape” as goalie, and got into all kinds of shenanigans.

During his youth in Stamford, many of you came to know Sean from deliveries he made to your homes or businesses, working behind the counter or in the yard at Eklund Building Supply, alongside his parents, siblings and the amazing employees who were like family.

He went on to complete 10^th-12^th grades at the Loomis Chafee school in Connecticut where he forged many new friendships and got into lots of newfound trouble. It was where Sean earned the nickname “Lurch,” which most of his closest friends still call him today. He learned to play football, threw discus and shotput, and he graduated in 1989. He attended Hobart & William Smith College, and not in the Hobart most of you know, but in Geneva, NY where he graduated with his bachelor’s degree in history in 1993. The time he spent at “Hobart” were some of the best years of his young life. He ended his football career and learned to play rugby, a sport he later coached. There he made some of the best friends he has remained close to and who continue to act like they are in college every time they get together, and this life-altering event will be no exception.

After graduation, Sean spent some time back in Stamford working at Eklund’s. He played softball for their company-sponsored team alongside his old SCS friends and Eklund co-workers, once again making great memories that have turned into funny stories that have been retold at least a million times.

Sean ventured away from Stamford in 1995 to Boston, or Beantown as he always called it, where he met Rebecca, his wife of almost 24 years, and entered the field of banking. After 3 years of fun and lots of Red Sox games and Clam Chowder, they made the move to Long Island where he continued in banking for a short time before returning to school at Stony Brook University to earn both a Master of Science and a Master of Arts in Teaching. In 1999 Sean and Rebecca married at the Lynch family home in Stamford, their favorite place, and in 2002 moved to Stamford to raise their family and start his teaching career as a high school history teacher, which had been a passion of his. It wasn’t a job, it was a career, and even more like a hobby to him.  He had a true love of history and a desire to shape the future of the youth of the community he was proud to be a member of. He earned an Administrative Certification at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts to become a better teacher and leader.

He was a caring, kind, genuine, dedicated teacher, coach, chaperone, class advisor, club advisor, mentor, and role model to his students in the Stamford community that he was so honored to call home. Sean was a true colleague and friend to many of his fellow co-workers at SCS where he taught for the last twenty years. He would often be the organizer of weekend poker games, golf outings, fishing trips, and baseball games with his closest colleagues to get away and have some fun outside his second home, SCS.

If you were looking for Sean, you could find him watching one of his girls’ sports games, fishing, golfing, enjoying nature, or at a live music event. He was the master planner of family vacations, long weekends, and Georgia’s memorable SCS senior trip! He made Clark Griswold look like an amateur. More recently, he could be found coaching Michaela’s SUNY New Paltz Rugby team. He lived for his girls and did everything he could for them to enjoy their lives, avoid disappointment at all costs, and have every opportunity possible.

Sean had always been invested in the community that has been his home since he was a child. Although he moved away, he returned to this beautiful place and to the community he felt so much a part of. He raised a beautiful family here and reconnected with many people that have come to mean so much to him and his family. Sean volunteered at many community events and recently joined the Library Board. In honor of a man who made an impact on his life and took a chance on him as his mentor in education, Sean established the Annual Joseph P. Beck Memorial Golf tournament that has raised money for the past 15 years to award scholarships to SCS graduates. There is plenty of money to continue this scholarship, however in lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the SCS Chapter of the Booster Club specifically for the Joseph P. Beck Memorial Scholarship.

Sean was predeceased by his maternal (Eklund) and paternal (Lynch) grandparents, one of whom held a huge place in his heart. Holger Eklund was one of the biggest influences of Sean’s life. He was a man of few words but profound action. He taught Sean to fish, to golf, and the virtue of being a decent person.

Sean is survived by his wife, Rebecca (Steinhauer) Lynch, two daughters, Michaela and Georgia, and his special furry dog son, Sargie of Stamford; his parents George and Catherine (Eklund) Lynch of Stamford, sister Gretchen Lynch and sister-in-law Marline Agnew of Latham, and brother George of the Bronx. He is also survived by many extended family members and friends, a list far too lengthy to include here. You know who you are!

Friends and relatives are invited to call from 12-2 PM on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at the MacArthur Funeral Home, 15 Buntline Drive, Stamford, NY. The family has asked that you dress comfortably, or in your favorite plaid, or flannel as only Sean would truly appreciate!