Thomas William Lynch

Thomas William Lynch, of Destin, Florida, passed away peacefully on May 12, 2026, at the age of 86.

Tom was born on August 31, 1939, in Laurens, South Carolina, to Sara Mae and Thomas W. Lynch. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed in France. There he met the love of his life, Lucie Canteri, who was working on base. They were married in her hometown of Waville on March 9, 1963.

Tom and Lucie returned stateside to begin his rewarding career as a Civil Service firefighter at various Air Force bases. They were stationed in Enid, Oklahoma, where they welcomed their first child, Barbara. Shortly thereafter, the family relocated to Sumter, South Carolina, where their second daughter, Brenda, was born. Their final move was to Destin, Florida, in 1974, where their third child, Sean, was born a few years later.

Tom served as Battalion Fire Chief at Hurlburt, Eglin, and Duke Air Force Bases for many years, retiring from Civil Service in 1994 after a distinguished and decorated career. He and Lucie also owned and operated a lawn care business together. Never one to sit still, Tom went on to hold positions with Destin Water Users and Baskerville-Donovan, a utility construction firm in the Destin area.

Tom had a deep passion for handyman projects around the house. He personally managed and contributed to an impressive home addition in the early 1980s, as well as multiple interior renovations and exterior upgrades. He was a self-taught expert in electrical work, construction, plumbing, and, in later years, electronics and computers. He also was always thinking of a better way to grill or smoke meat on his numerous outdoor grills.

Tom is survived by his wife of 63 years, Lucie Canteri Lynch; their children, Barbara Meyer (Raymond), Brenda McSwain (Michael), and Sean Lynch (Lindsey); grandchildren, Allison McSwain Gabbard (Nathan), Ryan McSwain, Noah Lynch, and Luke Lynch; great-granddaughters, McKenley Gabbard and Marley Gabbard; sister, Lynda Kitchens (Kelly); and brother, Michael Davis.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas, Sara and stepfather, Robert Davis; sisters, Gladys Jones and Sally Jones; and brother, Robert Davis, Jr.

A Celebration of Life will be held on May 30, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Destiny Worship Center, 122 Poinciana Blvd, Miramar Beach, Florida, followed by a time of fellowship. Friends and family are welcome to attend and share their favorite memories.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Tunnel to Towers (t2t.org).