Hickory, NC – The Hickory community is grieving the sudden loss of Chris Lynch, a beloved bike mechanic and cherished friend, who passed away from an aggressive cancer diagnosed just two and a half weeks ago. Chris Lynch’s funeral is scheduled for today, Thursday, August 29th, at 11 AM at Jenkins Funeral Home, located at 4081 Startown Road in Newton, NC.
Chris Lynch was known not only for his exceptional skill in bike repair but also for his warm personality and the kindness he extended to everyone he met. The Hickory Velo Club, among many others in the community, has expressed their deep sorrow over his passing and has organized efforts to support his family during this difficult time.
In honor of Chris’s legacy, a “Celebration of Chris’s Life” group bike ride is being planned for Saturday, September 28th. The ride will pass through various sites and shops where Chris worked, allowing participants to reflect on his life and contributions to the community. Details about the ride’s timing and route will be announced soon.
To help support Chris’s family with the significant medical and home expenses they now face, a GoFundMe campaign titled "Remembering Chris Lynch’s Human Touch & Bike Wrench Skill" has been launched by Bruce Tretter. The fundraiser has already garnered $625 from six donations, including contributions from Gregory Brooks, Lawrence Thompson, and Brandi Bumgarner.
Brandi Bumgarner, who had her bike worked on by Chris multiple times, shared on Facebook, “I did not know him personally but he worked on my bike multiple times over the years helping me get ready for cycle season…what a genuinely nice, helpful person in reference to my bike…I’m praying for his wife and children…hoping my small donation will help.”
Chris Lynch’s loss is profoundly felt by all who knew him, and the community continues to rally around his family in this time of mourning.