Reverend Gerald Joseph Lynam, 92, died peacefully at the Waterford on December 15, 2010.
Gerald was born at Narberth, Pennsylvania (near Philadelphia), on May 18, 1918, to Gerald Lynam and Catherine (Tinney) Lynam. He was the 3rd of six children.
He graduated from Villanova University in Pennsylvania and attended the University of Pennsylvania Law School. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Gerald enlisted in the Navy and became a supply officer.
Following his service in the Navy, Gerald entered the Viatorian Fathers. During his four years with the Viatorian Fathers, he received an MA in Philosophy from the Catholic University of America, and began studies toward the priesthood, first at Catholic University, then at St. Thomas Seminary in Denver. While at St. Thomas, he decided to pursue priestly ordination for the Diocese of Helena. He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Helena at the Cathedral in Hartford, Connecticut on May 18, 1950. In 1953, he earned the PhD in Philosophy from the Catholic University of America.
Father Lynam taught philosophy at Carroll College from 1953 to 1958; he was Chaplain to the State Institutions from 1958 to 1960; and returned to the Carroll faculty from 1960 to 1968. Beginning in 1962, he also served as Administrator of Sacred Heart Church in Wolf Creek. From 1968 through 1974, he was Pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Eureka. In 1974, he was assigned as Pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Fairfield. After a brief time as Chaplain of St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula, he was assigned as Chaplain of Warm Springs State Hospital in 1976, serving there until 1987 when he accepted Senior Status in the Diocese. After residing at Carroll College, Father Lynam spent several happy years at the Waterford on Saddle Drive in Helena.
In his spare time, Father Lynam learned to fly, served as Chaplain to the Civil Air Patrol, the Montana National Guard and the Army Reserve. He was active in hunting, skiing and loved the outdoors. While assigned to service in Helena, he would climb Mount Helena practically every day to enjoy the “beautiful view from the top of the world.”
Father Lynam is survived by a sister, Rose Lynam Gillard, as well as three Carroll college graduates, nephew Ed Lynam (class of 1972); nephew Tommy Irish Gillard (class of 1978); and niece Kelley Lynam Press (class of 2000); and many nieces and nephews.
Father Lynam was very proud of his Irish heritage because his father, Gerald Lynam, is an Irish immigrant from County West Meath, Ireland and his mother, Catherine (Tinney) Lynam, immigrated from Omagh County , Tyrone, Ireland.
A Rosary service will be 7:00 p.m. Monday, December 20th, 2010 at the Cathedral of Saint Helena. Funeral Mass will be at Noon Tuesday, December 21st, 2010 at the Cathedral of Saint Helena. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to the Cathedral of Saint Helena, 515 North Ewing, Helena, Montana; Saint Andrew School, P.O. Box 231, Helena, Montana 58924 or (Mother Theresa Order) Missionaries of Charity, Branch House, 335 East 145th Street, Bronx, New York. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.aswfuneralhome.com.
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Bunk Meunier says
Father Lynam was a special person in my life. He was my priest,my teacher,and my friend.He drove to Wolf Creek to provide instruction to both of my parents, My mother was a convert and my dad a lapsed catholic. I rode back and forth to Wolf Creek every week when he was the pastor. When I was teaching in Canada and he was serving in Eurekea Mt.he came to Nelson to check up on me.When father was in the at the Waterford and the alzhiemers disease was bad father still knew that I was Frenchy’s kid. I will miss his presence desparately. My families thouhts and prayers are with his family.
Jim McMahon says
What a priest? What a man? What a Christian? I will never forget this “institution”. May he rest in peace.
Maggi McKinnon Corbett says
I wanted to extend my condolences for Fr.Lynam. Although I did not personally know him, he was a friend of my mother’s brother, Rev. Robert V. Nevans of Denver. Fr. Robbi always spoke highly of him and in the late 50’s Fr. Lynam was primarily responsible for a “reunion” near Helena which brought my uncle and several other priests together. I met him briefly then and realize with hindsight that those guys were to be envied for the friendship they shared from their seminary/priesthood days. My sympathy is with you.
Maggi McKinnon Corbett