Celebrating LW Centenarians

This is one story in an occasional series profiling some of LW’s most long-lived residents, those who have reached the enviable age of 100 years or more. The series is running in connection with the Golden Age Foundation centenarian event on April 20, which will celebrate these milestones. In most cases, a family member or friend has written the stories.

by Rita Farnsworth

special to the LW Weekly

Robert Lynch is the first born child of Charles C. and Nellie Dale Lynch. He was born on August 29, 1918, and had two sisters, Lillian and Dorothy. He is the only surviving sibling.

He is the grandson of Charles E. Lynch and Mary Brannigan, with a very Irish background and John C. Dale (Irish decent) and Wilhemina Peterson, who was born in Sweden.

Bob’s father Charles served in the Spanish American War as part of the First U.S. Volunteer Cavalry, called the “Rough Riders,” under the leadership of Theodore Roosevelt.

His mother Nellie was a midwife. Bob’s early life was spent in Brockton, Massachusetts, where he attended and graduated from Brockton High School. He played football and especially liked playing baseball. One of his friends who also played baseball, was Rocky Marciano, who later became an American professional boxer, winning the heavyweight title from 1952-1956. He is the only heavyweight champion to have completed an undefeated career, which included a fight with Mohammed Ali. He was certainly a “hometown hero.”

When President Roosevelt came to Brockton, Bob and his friends were watching the motorcade when they were approached by the Secret Service, who questioned them on how to get to Quincy. Of course they knew, so they were invited to ride in the motorcade directing the way. When Bob passed his family on the corner of Winter Street and waved to them, they were quite surprised and shocked. They only wished they had a camera, but no one could afford a camera at that time.

Bob has fond memories of the in-the-street political campaigning done in those days. Candidates would literally stand on the corner giving speeches as people gathered round. After the speech, everyone was given coffee and a doughnut.

After high school, Bob worked at the Rubber Factory in Stoughton, making heels for shoes. The city of Brockton was known as “Shoe City” in those days. After leaving the Rubber Factory, Bob went to work at the shipyard in Quincy known as Bethlehem Steel Co.

Bob eventually met Rosalie (Ro) Pecoraro. The couple met through a graduation picture he saw of her. Bob went to a Halloween party with his good friend Chet and Chet’s girlfriend when he noticed a picture of a beautiful young woman displayed on the piano. Chet’s girlfriend gave Bob Ro’s telephone number, and one year later, he contacted her. They were married on Aug. 31, 1941, after a two-and-one-half-year courtship. Chet was the best man at their wedding.

When Bob married Ro, he married into a very large Italian family that included a culture of tradition. There were Sunday family gatherings at the home of Ro’s parents, Gaetano and Rita Pecoraro. Traditional Italian foods were at the center of the gatherings, and so began his love for Italian food!

The early years of their marriage were spent in Brockton. In 1943 Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was assigned to the Pacific Theater during World War II.

He was sent to Long Beach for deployment. Ro traveled alone by train to see him and fell in love with California.

When she returned to Massachusetts, she did her “sales pitch” to her family to move to California. Bob served overseas from 1943-1946. When he returned to Long Beach, he called his aunt who lived in Glendale. During their conversation his aunt told him that Ro and her family were living in Long Beach. The “sales pitch” worked!

Bob embarked on a career with the U.S. Postal Service, where he served for 36 years. He retired from the postal service on Aug. 29, 1980, as director of customer service. He has been retired for 42 years.

Ro retired from North American Aviation Corporation in 1975. The traditional family dinners continued after their move to California and just got bigger.

Ro had five brothers who also had families, so this made the family gatherings rather large, and he loved it. After a huge meal, the men would sit around the table and play cards while sipping wine. The women would drink coffee and eat Italian pastries while talking and, of course, all those kids were having a wonderful time with their cousins.

After his in-laws passed, Bob and Ro had their once-a-week spaghetti night also—with perhaps a glass of wine for Bob. Family gatherings and those traditional foods—including corn beef and cabbage for the Irish in him—are still a part of Bob’s family life.

Bob and Ro were married for 79 years during which they had two daughters, Rita and Patti, who were raised in Long Beach, four grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren (three of which are a set of triplets).

Bob and Ro were active in everything their daughters participated in. Bob was always the girls’ biggest fan and was there for all of it—dance, baton, music lessons and more. Then came the four grandchildren, Stacey, Scott, Tony and Danny, and this same support was bestowed on them.

On the weekends, you could find him on a soccer field cheering for the boys, by the pool cheering for Stacey as she did her water ballet, and, of course, on the beach cheering for Scott as he competed in surf contests. He and Ro shared a deep love for family, enjoyed traveling and always enjoyed the company of the many friends they made. When Bob retired from the U.S. Postal Service, it was on a Friday.

He and Ro left to “see the world” that Monday. Their first trip was to Europe and they visited all the European countries. Over the next few years, they traveled to China, Japan, Russia, Canada, Ireland, Scotland and, of course, many areas in the United States.

This was a dream come true for both of them, and they enjoyed every minute of it.

Bob and Rosalie moved into Leisure World, Mutual 15, March 17, 1999, on St. Patrick’s Day. That made St. Patrick’s Day even more special for Bob since this holiday is a favorite!

They have always enjoyed spending time with friends, and enjoyed all the activities in Leisure World. The Amphitheater shows, the day trips and the Christmas show each year in La Mirada to see “The Young Americans.” They also enjoyed hosting fun bunco parties and the wonderful people they met over the years.

In 1996, they became great-grandparents and were thrilled. As each great-grandchild was born, they never missed a birth—yes, they were at each hospital for all 11 great grandchildren. It didn’t matter what time of the night it was, Bob and Ro were there. While awaiting the birth of great-grand Dylan, Bob called the front gate at Leisure World to clear the way for Rita to come in the gate.

Bob said, “WE’RE HAVING A BABY,” the guard said, WHAT??? When Rita arrived at the gate at 2 a.m. on a rainy night, Security was at its best “ushering” her through to get Bob and Ro. When they exited the gate, the guard yelled “BABY?”

Security was just as excited as they were! The last birth was especially exciting for the family because the family was blessed with a set of triplets.

As the great-grands grew up, Bob and Ro attended those soccer games, dance recitals, dive meets, volleyball games and baseball games. Chloe, Haley, Dylan, Cami, Madi, Parker, Hanna, Marco, Victoria, Clarisse and Jameson are now being loved by Bob, and every milestone in their lives he celebrates with them. Graduations, birthdays, awards and holidays find Bob with them, and they are grateful.

Last April, Cami got married, and what a thrill for Bob to have attended to see this very special occasion. It’s not often that a great-grandparent is able to attend the wedding of one of his great-granddaughters. Bob also attended the third birthday party for the triplets in September and realized that he was born 100 years before they were. Triplet Victoria is pictured with Bob. All of the great-grandchildren know how blessed they are to have him.

In 2020, Ro passed away, and that was a very difficult time for Bob and his entire family. Bob was also Ro’s biggest fan, encouraging her and supporting her in everything she was involved in.

The pandemic was quite bad at that time, which made things a little more complicated, but his family pulled together and was able to honor Ro for “A Life So Beautifully Lived.” His family always stays close and visits often. The phone calls and visits from LW friends and neighbors have been appreciated and always show him the love and respect he is so deserving of.

Bob is looking forward to celebrating his 104th birthday on Aug. 29, 2022 with family and friends this year.

Happy birthday to Bob Lynch!