LYNCH — Joseph (Deceased Veteran)
11/30/1898 – 8/1/1965
Sport: Boxing

• Two-time World Bantamweight Champion (118 lbs.)
• Inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2005, Old-Timer’s category
• Career record: 99-36-21, with 37 knockouts
• Known for a “chin of stone” — never knocked out despite an aggressive style.
• Explosive right hand; intelligent ring general

Career Highlights:
• Won first world title on 12/22/1920 (15-round decision over Pete Herman)
• Lost title to Herman in rematch, then regained championship by knocking out Johnny Buff on 7/10/1922
• Lost title to Abe Goldstein in 1924

Military Service:
• Served in France during WWI as a “Doughboy” with the 27th Infantry Division

Recognitions:
• Ring Magazine founder Nat Fleischer ranked him #4 all-time among Bantamweights
• Boxing Scene ranked him #8
• International Boxing Research Organization ranked him #11

Personal History:
• Born in NYC to an impoverished Irish immigrant family
• Retired from boxing in 1926 and moved to New City, NY
• Purchased 70 acres of farmland and a local gymnasium
• Served as New City Fire Department foreman, then fire chief
• Co-owned the Elms Hotel with entertainer George M. Cohan
• Appointed New City Postmaster by James Farley during FDR administration (served until early 1950s)
• Served as president of the New City Democratic Club and vice-president of the Rockland County Democratic Club
• Ran for County Constable and reportedly served as County Deputy Sheriff

He was married to Anna Harvey Lynch, active in local church life, who passed away in 1955.

Joseph Lynch drowned in 1965 in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn while visiting family. The couple had no children. Both are buried in St. Anthony’s Cemetery in Nanuet, NY.