TRIBUTES POUR IN FOR PROPERTY TYCOON
TEARS FOR GENTLEMAN JOHN
A well- known Ayrshire property tycoon who has died has been described as a ” gentleman” and “legend”.
John Lynch was the founder and figurehead of multi million pound developers Lynch Homes.
He is survived by his wife of more than 50 years, Patsy, sons, Billy and Steven and daughter Lesley.
Billy told the Post : “My father was a great story teller and he loved nothing better than taking us out with the grandchildren to a local restaurant and we’d just sit and listen to him all night.
“His stories were legendary and that’s what we’ll miss the most.”
An “inspiration”, “a gentleman” and a “legend”– just some of the words used to describe property tycoon John Lynch, who passed away last week.
The Ayrshire businessman died at Crosshouse Hospital last Tuesday following a brief illness. He was 71.
Mr Lynch, who attended Heathfield Primary and Newton Park, came from humble beginnings as a grocer’s son in Heathfield, Ayr.
He met Patsy, his beloved wife, in the Carlton Cafe in Ayr. They were married in 1966.
John built Lynch Homes from its inception in 1971 into the thriving business it is today – with interests all over the country.
Lynch Homes developed thousands of homes throughout Ayrshire and the West of Scotland.
John was always proud of his “Lynch Built” family homes which many locals continue to live in to this very day.
Under Mr Lynch’s stewardship, Lynch Homes developed a reputation for high- quality, distinctive, affordable, family homes building in diverse locations including Holmston, Castlehill and Ewenfield in Ayr, Monkton, Prestwick, Troon, Coylton, Mauchline in the rest of Ayrshire and further afield in East Kilbride, Paisley and Glasgow.
Sticking to his Ayrshire roots, Mr Lynch employed hundreds from the local community and helped launch the careers of many locals as both tradesmen and professionals within the house building industry.
Later, he diversified into agriculture, and John Lynch Farmers is now one of the largest dairy farmers in Scotland, with substantial operations on the outskirts of Ayr.
A larger than life character and extremely sociable man, he also was involved in the hospitality trade as owner and proprietor of the Kylestrome Hotel, in Miller Road, until the early 2000s.
Mr Lynch, who lived in the South Ayrshire countryside, was a generous supporter of many local causes and organisations including the Ayrshire Hospice over many years.
And his generous financial support led to the establishment of the renal unit at Crosshouse Hospital, Kilmarnock, which is named in his honour.
John enjoyed field sports and was an avid follower, honorary life member and major sponsor of Ayr Rugby Club, whom he followed throughout the country.
Past president at Ayr Rugby Club, Billy McHarg, was among the first to pay tribute to Mr Lynch.
He said : “John was a big supporter and sponsor of Ayr Rugby Club.
“John was a character, a hard businessman but he had a warm heart.
“The best way I can describe John in terms of Ayr Rugby Club and the members? He was an inspiration, a gentleman and a legend.”
Ayr MSP John Scott said: “John was a well- known and very well respected figure in Ayrshire and indeed across Scotland through his various business interests, including construction, housebuilding and farming.
“It’s a testament to his character and drive that from its start in the 1970s, he built his most well- known business, Lynch Homes, up into one of Scotland’s premier developers.
“John’s passing truly is the end of an era and my thoughts, as with so many other local people, are with this family at this time.”
A statement from Ayr Rugby Club said: “It is with great sadness that Ayr Rugby Club recognises the passing of one of our most respected life members Mr John Lynch.
“John passed away peacefully in Crosshouse Hospital on Tuesday of last week following a brief illness.
“John’s support of our club as a major sponsor will be well known to members, players and supporters across Scotland, with the Lynch name visible on playing strips and around Millbrae for several decades.
“John is survived by his wife Patsy and his children Billy, Steven and Lesley who, with their families, are all ‘ weel kent’ faces home and away with Ayr at mini, youth and senior levels.
“All at Ayr send their deepest condolences to Patsy and the family at this distressing time.”
John Burns, chief executive, of NHS Ayrshire and Arran said: “We are saddened to hear of the passing of Mr John Lynch.
“We are very grateful for his generous donations to NHS Ayrshire & Arran which helped fund a scheme to establish the renal unit at Crosshouse Hospital which is named after him.
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”
Son Billy said: “My father was a great story teller and he loved nothing better than taking us out with the grandchildren to a local restaurant and we’d just sit and listen to him all night.
“His stories were legendary and that’s what we’ll miss the most.”
Survived by wife of 52 years Patsy, sons Billy and Steven and daughter Lesley, a funeral procession to allow friends to offer their respects will take place at the Old Racecourse, on Racecourse View, Ayr on Friday, November 13, at 10.30 with a private family funeral thereafter.