George C. Lynch, a landscape architect and lifelong resident of Southampton, died Sunday, January 26, at Southampton Hospital. He was 63.
Mr. Lynch had a landscape architecture practice in Southampton Village for 30 years, designing outdoor spaces for private residences throughout the East End of Long Island. His projects included the Fordune condominium complex in Southampton and Mecox Landing in Water Mill. He will also be remembered through public projects he designed in Southampton Village, such as the traffic island across from Suffolk County National Bank on North Sea Road, the brick walkway next to Sant Ambroeus on Main Street, and the gardens and columbarium at the Methodist Church on Main Street.
He was an active member of the Southampton Village Beautification Committee, the Southampton Historical Museum and the Hamptons United Methodist Church.
Mr. Lynch was born in Southampton Hospital on July 30, 1950. He attended Southampton public schools from kindergarten through high school and had a group of lifelong Southampton friends that included Tim Bishop, Vic Finalborgo, Bruce McGowin, Steve McMahon, Paul Halsey, Ed Burnett and Joe Chiarello. Some of the group went on a five-month trans-African safari together during a break from college. Beginning with their 40th birthday, the friends reunited every decade to celebrate together.
As a high school senior, Mr. Lynch was co-captain of the Southampton Mariners football team with Steve McMahon when the team won the 1967 league championship. Mr. McMahon said his friend led the team by example. Mr. Lynch graduated from Susquehanna University with a degree in accounting and earned a master’s degree in landscape architecture from the University of Georgia. He returned to Southampton and opened his landscape architecture practice in 1984.
He met his wife, Carol Gilbert, through mutual friends, and the couple lived with their two daughters in a home that he designed on Millstone Brook Road that had expansive views of the woodlands and their gardens. He loved the beach, was an avid New York Giants fan and enjoyed being with friends and family.
He was predeceased by his parents, Eleanor and George Lynch; and two sisters, Barbara Staunton and Vivian Dhew. He is survived by his wife, Carol Gilbert; two daughters, Nora and Suzanne Lynch; a niece, Danielle Leef; great-niece, Julia Leef; great-nephew Nicholas Leef; three nephews, Craig Staunton and Jed and Ryan Dhew; and great-nephew John Dhew.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 1, at 2 p.m. at Hamptons United Methodist Church on Main Street.
Memorial donations may be sent to the Hamptons United Methodist Church, 160 Main Street, Southampton, NY 11968; the Southampton Historical Museum, 17 Meeting House Lane, Southampton, NY 11968; or WPPB 88.3 FM, P.O. Box 1410, Southampton, NY 11969.
on Jan 27, 2014