Neville Lynch

Neville Lynch was born on March 13th, 1935 to a young entrepreneur known as Ms. Addie in Kingston, Jamaica. Young Neville watched his mother use courage, wisdom, and life skills to provide for her 3 sons, which he also used to help guide him throughout his life. He was sent to Portland, Jamaica, to live with his Aunt Lou, who ran a strict home. She tried to tame Neville’s independent spirit, but he declared to her and to anyone who attempted to rein him in that he was “The Lord’s Anointed.” In other words, he was ruled by God and himself, and no one else. Because of his extraordinary self-confidence and ambition, Neville was able to venture out into his community as a teenager and gain valuable skills before he was even of legal age to do so. He learned to drive cars and trucks by watching others when he hopped rides with them. Shortly after, he began to earn money by driving trucks and helping steam train conductors collect passenger tickets on local rides. As much as he loved cars and buses, his greatest fascination was with trains. He marveled over the majesty of giant locomotives with powerful steam engines, endless cars (pun intended, IYKYK), loud whistles, and full-steam-ahead focus. Things don’t often get in the way of a train on a mission. In hindsight, I see clear parallels in how Neville lived his life. He was sturdy, driven, powerful, punctual, well-traveled, had room for others, made unique noise, and helped others reach their goals. After returning to Kingston, Neville held several jobs, including working at an ice cream factory and selling meat door-to-door. His favorite job, though, was being a JOS bus driver. Later in life, he would often hold out his cupped hands in front of him and say, “Look! I was born with a steering wheel in my hands!” He never encountered a vehicle he couldn’t master. On one of his bus routes, he literally met the girl of his dreams - his wife, Marjorie. After a long courtship, they enjoyed 50 years of marriage until her passing. They had migrated to Brooklyn, NY in the 70’s with their 2 young children, Andy and Melanie. Years later, the family, including Marjorie’s mother, Ms. Benji, moved to the Bronx, NY where they stayed until 2005. Neville had a strong sense of order and principle, and was always polite, professional, and polished. This earned him favor with residents, co-workers, and management alike at Tracey Towers, a luxury high rise where he worked for 33 years in the Bronx. He started out as a doorman, then became a security guard. Eventually, he was promoted to head of security and shop steward for his union simultaneously. His bosses agreed that if anyone could wear both hats fairly and responsibly, it was Mr. Lynch. He retired to Kissimmee, FL in 2005, but seeing buses constantly whizz past his backyard revived his steering-wheel hands. He became a school bus driver for Osceola County. He loved driving a large bus again, enjoyed working with children, and relished the strong and lasting friendships he formed with his beloved co-workers. Several years later, he was badly injured in an accident and lost most of his lower mobility. He mostly stayed home after that, where his wife, Marjorie, cared for him tirelessly until her passing in 2017. Afterwards, his daughter, Patricia, took up the mantle and cared for him (while raising her own family and running a church) until he went home to the Lord. Neville was a caring husband, doting father, and excellent provider. He loved spending time with his family and friends and was always good for a joke, a story, or a word of sound advice. He had a great personality and was easily the life of any party. He and Marjorie were avid cruisers, who journeyed to places like China, Tunisia, Israel, England, Newfoundland, and many more destinations across 5 continents. Neville Lynch will be sorely missed and will remain dearly loved. His place in our hearts is secured and His place in Heaven is assured. He is lovingly survived by his daughters, Patricia, Melanie, and Stephanie, two sons; his sister, Patsy; several brothers; numerous grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, countless cousins, and a tribe of good friends. The family will receive friends on Saturday July 22, 2023 from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM all in the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Osceola Memory Gardens Cemetery, Funeral Home and Crematory, 1717 Old Boggy Creek Road, Kissimmee, FL 34744. 407.847.2494. online condolences can be made at www.osceolamemgds.com

Neville Lynch

March 13, 1935 - July 11, 2023