Ryan Lynch was a beloved member of the ELIPPD, a valued friend and piper. He died tragically at the age of 34.

We love and miss him.

Sgt. Ryan P. Lynch of the East Hampton Town Police Department died on July 27 in Glenwood Landing, New York after a six-month battle with esophageal cancer.

Ryan was born on April 29, 1971 in Glen Cove, New York to Jim Lynch and the late Ann Lynch.  He attended Glenwood Landing Elementary School and Long Island Lutheran High School.  Upon graduating Lutheran in 1989, he attended Alfred University in Alfred, New York. He graduated in 1993 with a B.A. in Political Science.

After college, he was accepted into the Suffolk County Police Department Seasonal Police Academy.  He completed the academy and worked two summer seasons for the Suffolk County Police Department in the Second Precinct, primarily patrolling the Village of Huntington's business district.  After the Suffolk County Police Department disbanded its seasonal police program, he took a position as Seasonal Police Officer with the East Hampton Town Police Department.  He was then offered and accepted a full time position with the Town of East Hampton as a Police Officer.  He was promoted to the rank of Detective in 2001.  He proudly served as a Detective until his recent promotion to Sergeant.  Ryan had been a bagpiper with the Eastern Long Island Police Pipes and Drums since 1997.

Ryan was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in January.  The disease quickly metastasized to many areas of his body.  He was treated at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan, undergoing many rounds of chemotherapy and radiation.  Throughout the course of Ryan’s treatment he received a tremendous outpouring of support from the community and his many friends.  He was extremely grateful; he felt as though he had lived his life in a good way.

Ryan was a stand up kind of guy, he would go out of his way to help others, especially his family and friends.  He always treated others the way he himself had wanted to be treated.  The amount of strength that Ryan exhibited, even when faced with the most horrendous news, was truly amazing and admirable.  Ryan had always remained strong and positive, he fought hard up until the end of his life.

A great deal of strength came from Ryan’s two children, Alexander, 12, and Cailyn, two.  He knew he had to fight the fight because he needed to be there to raise his kids.  Family was the most important thing to him.  Everything he did was for the betterment of his family.

Ryan was a fantastic father and husband, extremely loving and devoted.  He was so proud of his children.

Ryan met his wife, the former Jenn Cidlowski through mutual friends at Atlantic Avenue Beach, they started dating immediately.  Four years later, he proposed to Jenn in the exact spot where they had met.  They were married May 4, 2002 at St. Peter’s Church in Amagansett.  Jenn, along with his father, Jim, stood by Ryan’s side and remained strong and positive throughout the course of this disease.  Ryan considered Jenn “his rock”.

Ryan loved his job as a Police Officer.  He was good at what he did; he was honest, trustworthy and hardworking.  He loved the guys he worked with.  He was well known for his great sense of humor.  He kept his fellow officers entertained by his constant teasing.  Ryan had turned the idea of picking on people into an art form.  He said often “you only kid the ones you love.”

Ryan was passionate about football, especially the New York Jets and his fantasy football league, his team, the Courtesy Flush.  He shared this passion for football with his son, Alexander.  Alexander being a Giants fan, there was much friendly rivalry going on at home. 
 

Ryan is survived by his wife, Jenn and two children, Alexander and Cailyn.  He is also survived by his father Jim Lynch of Glenwood Landing, New York, as well as sister, Colleen of Port Washington, New York, two brothers, Kyle Lynch of Glenwood Landing, Tim Lynch of Philadelphia, a niece, Julia and a nephew, Buddy.

Following wake services at Yardley & Pino Funeral Home in East Hampton, Ryan was buried with a full Police Funeral at Cedar Lawn Cemetery on Cooper Street in East Hampton.  Memorial donations may be sent to the Ryan P. Lynch Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 130, Williston Park, New York 11596.

* The band was proud to serve as an honor guard at his wake, and as escort to him during his funeral service.