Thomas G. Lynch, teacher and principal, dies at 67

THEY CALLED Thomas G. Lynch III the "Beaver."

He earned the title at Olney High School, where he was a mathematics teacher who also organized activities to build bridges among diverse interests. He was an educator with a work ethic that wouldn't quit.

Tom Lynch, a teacher and principal in Philadelphia schools for over 30 years, an active Boy Scout leader who sailed in places as far away as the Greek islands and Tahiti, died Oct. 19. He was 67 and lived in Gilbertsville, Montgomery County.

Tom was born in Bridgeton, N.J., the second of the eight children of Elizabeth and Thomas G. Lynch II. He attended Bridgeton public schools then went on to Cheyney State University, receiving a degree in education in 1965.

He later earned a master's in education from Penn State and completed his course work there for a doctorate.

After two years of teaching in the Cherry Hill school district, Tom started teaching math at Olney High, where he organized the Community Desegregation Resource Team, among other activities.

He became vice principal and acting principal at Olney, principal of Gillespie Junior High school and later principal of Martin Luther King Jr. High School. He retired in 1999.

An Eagle Scout in his youth, he continued to serve the Boy Scouts as vice chairman of the Polaris District.

Tom was a member of the Philadelphia Alumni chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. He chaired the black-and- white-ball committee for two years and served on the guide -right committee.

He was a member of the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators.

In 1966, Tom married his college sweetheart, Pamela Williams. He enjoyed coaching his sons' youth soccer teams.

In 1989, Tom married Susan Black. They were both avid skiers and played tennis and golf. They spent many a summer on their sailboat, Suniyani, sailing the Chesapeake, the Caribbean, the Greek islands and Tahiti.

Besides his wife, he is survived by two sons, Thomas G. IV and Scott W. Lynch; two stepdaughters, Theresa Nahon and Haley Edwards; a brother, Keith; five sisters, Sandra, Bette, Judy, Audrey and Rita, and four grandchildren. He was predeceased by another brother, Kenneth.

Services: Were Tuesday.