FORMER DEPUTY MAYOR & POLITICAL PIONEER BILL LYNCH DIES AT THE AGE OF 72 August 9, 2013 / New York, NY William Lynch, Jr., former Deputy Mayor and New York political activist for the past 40 years, died today at Columbia Presbyterian hospital at 1:28 PM from complications from kidney disease, it was announced by his son, William Lynch III and daughter, Stacy R Lynch esq. Mr. Lynch was 72 years old. William Lynch, Jr., founder and Chairman of Bill Lynch Associates, LLC, had over 40 years of experience in local and national politics, government operations, labor, and public policy. He advised hundreds of campaigns and elected officials across the United States and around the world. Lynch was highly respected for his political expertise and humanitarian work, which had earned him awards and recognitions from numerous organizations. He frequently provided political commentary to the news media. In 1989, Lynch successfully managed the mayoral campaign of David N. Dinkins, forging a coalition of New York’s diverse communities that is still held up as a model for political campaigns. He then served as Deputy Mayor for Intergovernmental Affairs from 1990-93, overseeing the mayor’s federal, state and municipal legislative affairs offices. He was previously Chief of Staff when Dinkins was Manhattan Borough President. Prior to his work in government, Lynch served as Director of Legislation and Political Action for District Council 1701 of AFSCME, as well as playing key roles in the presidential campaigns of Jesse Jackson and Walter Mondale. When Nelson Mandela was released from prison in 1990, Lynch coordinated the massive New York welcome celebration for the anti-apartheid leader. The next year, Lynch organized the mayor’s diplomatic mission to South Africa, and was a key adviser to Mandela during his presidential campaign. President Bill Clinton appointed Lynch to the Democratic National Committee in 1997, where he served as Vice-Chair until 2003. He was Deputy Campaign Manager for John Kerry’s 2004 presidential bid, and served as a key adviser to Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, despite overtures from then-Senator Barack Obama. Lynch was deeply committed to philanthropy and social justice, having worked with hundreds of community organizations and non-profits. He served on the boards of Advancement Project, the Black Institute, the Children’s Defense Fund, Long Island University, the Museum for African Art, Shared Interest, the New York Organ Donor Network, and the Hamilton Heights-Sugar Hill Historic Commission. In 2004, the Children’s Defense Fund constructed the Riggio-Lynch Chapel, a non-denominational church named for Lynch and Barnes & Noble founder Leonard Riggio. Located in Clinton, Tennessee, the chapel was designed by Vietnam Memorial architect Maya Lin. Lynch was born and raised in Mattituck, L.I., and was a veteran of the United States Air Force. Lynch is survived by his wife, Mary; son and political consultant, William Lynch III; daughter and attorney, Stacy R Lynch, and grandson, William Lynch IV. Funeral arrangements are pending. Contact: Ken Sunshine – Sunshine Sachs, (212) 691-2800 Jason Lee – Sunshine Sachs, (212) 691-2800, lee@sunshinesachs
Posted on: Wed, 14 Aug 2013 17:30:35 +0000