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Before I begin my tribute to my best friend and brother Michael, I would like to take this time to express my heartfelt gratitude toward so many people who have helped my family and I get through this time of great loss and sadness. First, I would like to thank all the businesses and neighbors of the Throgg's Neck Community for all their love, support, prayers, and donations of food they made to my family to get us through this tough time. My brother Michael and I shared many things in life together. The most important thing we shared was our love and respect for our family. But we also both had an extended family, that being all the men and women sitting here today who we have known all our lives since our first days at St. Francis. The overwhelming outpour of love and support these treasured friends have given me and my family makes me feel like they have also lost a brother in Michael. To the men and women of the NYC Fire Department, especially Engine 62 Ladder 32 and Engine 40 Ladder 35: I am very thankful in the short time Michael served on the NYC Fire Department that he was surrounded by such courageous, brave, and honorable individuals as yourselves. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you have done for our family. You were Michael's second family and now you have all become OUR second family! Mike and I were only a year and 10 months apart. He was not only my immediate older brother, but he was truly my best friend! From my very first childhood memories, Michael and I were barely ever apart. From our countless days fishing in Silver Beach, to playing together on the same team in little league, to keeping our parents always on their toes, we were inseparable. Today we come here to celebrate the life of Michael Francis Joseph Lynch. It seems very fitting to me because Michael celebrated everyday that he lived! Michael not only touched my life greatly but he touched so many lives as you can all see from the outpour of overwhelming love and support sitting here today. Michael touched people through his music. Either providing music at a local establishment, or DJ'ing a neighborhood wedding, Christening or a local charitable event, you could always count on Mike to get everyone dancing and having a great time. They say dancing is a form of celebration and this Michael loved to do! Whether he was doing the hand-jive with John Badalati at a wedding or doing the famous Hawaii Five- O with the rest of the boys and Deirdre, Michael always brought life to a party! Michael was passionate about everything he loved. He enjoyed fishing, scuba diving, and playing hockey, soccer, softball, golf, and darts. But most of all, Michael loved being a NYC firefighter. Mike was so proud of the Department that you rarely would find Mike on a day off not wearing a FDNY shirt. Our friends would all call him a "BUFF". This is why I believe Michael knew exactly what he had to do on 09/11. He understood what it meant to be a fireman and that is why he carried out his duty so courageously that day. In the Bible it says to love your neighbor as thyself. Michael surely carried out this deed on Sept 11th. Michael also had such a great love for children, especially for our 16 nieces and nephews. Every chance he got he would take them fishing when they came to visit or have them at his firehouse to play on the fire trucks. Mike also volunteered to coach kids soccer on the weekends. Michael was a terrific coach, a great uncle, a special godfather, and would have made such a wonderful father. Michael was so many things to me. He was my brother. He was my best friend. He was my best man at my wedding this past August and one month later he became a BEST MAN to all mankind. The one word I can use to describe my brother Michael is TRUE! He was a true son, a true brother, a true friend, a true Irishman, and a true American. I have never been in so much pain in all my life but I have also never been so proud. My brother Mike has always been my hero and now he is a hero to all!!!! Mike, I know you are with God now. I miss you greatly. You are a true soldier of God! Until we meet again, I love you Mike!! |