It is with sadness we announce Mervyn Lynch of Sherwood Park, Alberta passed away peacefully November 11, 2020 from dementia. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Teresita; his children Mark, Marianna (Don Baxter), Marcia, and Greg (Angela); his grandsons, Alex, Nathan, David, and Eric. He was predeceased by his parents, Hubert and Kempricia Lynch.
Born in Trinidad, West Indies, Mervyn moved his family to Canada to continue his studies and begin his teaching career with the East Central Catholic Schools in Vermilion, Alberta. Mervyn received a scholarship to attend the University of Toronto and received a Bachelor of Arts in Biological Physics. He received a Diploma in Education from the University of West Indies, his Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta, and his Master of Education from the University of Portland. He ignited a spark of wonder for students and provided professional development for teachers during his 35 years with the Edmonton Catholic School Board as a teacher and science consultant.
Mervyn will be remembered by his colleagues for his devotion to Catholic Education in Canada. In 1971, seeing a need for a Catholic Kindergarten program in Sherwood Park, he co-founded Apollo Kindergarten. His Holiness Pope John Paul II imparted his paternal Apostolic Blessing to Mervyn in appreciation of 25 years of dedicated service in Catholic Education as a trustee with the Sherwood Park Roman Catholic School Board. Mervyn served as President of the Alberta Catholic School Trustees’ Association and President of the Canadian Catholic School Trustees’ Association.
Mervyn enjoyed bird watching and studying the geologic history of a region. A favourite part of his day was gardening and walking with his love, Teresita. His family will fondly remember family vacations, travelling across North America in the Buick Century, and camping, hiking, and skiing in the Rocky Mountains. Always an educator, Mervyn always made learning fun for his children. His children were always excited to see Mervyn’s latest science experiment. Upon retirement, he continued to travel with his family, volunteered at his church, taught at Concordia University of Edmonton and the Edmonton Remand Centre, and attended Edmonton Football and Edmonton Oilers games.
The family expresses enormous gratitude to the exceptional nurses and staff at the Sherwood Park Care Centre for their attentiveness and compassion while caring for Mervyn.
Prayers will be held on Friday, November 20, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 13 Brower Dr., Sherwood Park. Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, presided by Reverend Jim Corrigan. The funeral Mass will be live streamed at www.olph.ca/video/
If you will be attending Prayers and/or the Funeral service, please call Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church at 780-467-5470 to RSVP.
A Celebration of Life will be planned when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. Mervyn’s final resting place will be at the Columbarium in Our Lady of Peace Cemetery in Edmonton. Alberta.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to The Foundation of St. Joseph Seminary and Newman Theological College (8421 101 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6A 0L1) or a charity of one’s choice.
Share
Share
Tweet
Pin
Share
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Mervyn Lynch 2020..
Décès pour la Ville: Edmonton, Province: Alberta