NEWBURYPORT – Rev. Edwin Charles Lynn died Monday, February 11th, 2025 after losing his second battle with kidney cancer. He recently moved from Nichols Village in Groveland to Atria Merrimack Place Assisted Living for more supportive care.

Ed was born in 1935 in Hartford, Connecticut, son of Edna and Charles Lynn and the only brother to Alan. He attended Manchester High School in Connecticut. After an auspicious beginning as "Most Likely to Succeed" in his grade school, he earned the more dubious distinction at high school graduation of "Most Changed Since Freshman Year".

His father Charles was a leader in the Boy Scout organization and Ed earned the status of Eagle Scout himself. He was also a basketball player and on the cross country team where he earned a state record for long jump. Ed continued his love of sport throughout his life by playing tennis (well into his 80s) and dabbling in pickle ball and table tennis.

He graduated first in his class at the Syracuse University School of Architecture, but found that he enjoyed reading and writing more than he did construction of buildings. He became an educator with the Great Books Foundation which sponsors adult and children's discussion groups. This new path of examining and sharing perspectives on life led him to enroll in the Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley, California.

His ministry first took him to the Unitarian Universalist Church in Milford, New Hampshire for 4 years after which he moved to the Northshore Unitarian Universalist Church in Danvers, Massachusetts where he served for 33 years. He also taught ministerial polity and practices at Harvard Divinity School as a visiting lecturer and denominational counselor after receiving the Merrill Fellowship there. Ed was known for his thoughtful and inspiring sermons, and for being a progressive humanist who cared deeply about social justice and equality.

His two careers in architecture and clergy melded into a love for church architecture which manifested itself in his first book "Tired Dragons" as well as a consultancy helping churches with their building issues. His book "Shorelines" explores the lessons that shifting sand dunes, breaking waves, and mysterious cormorants lend to our lives. He and his wife Marjorie also co-authored "Days Alive" with life affirming quotations and inspiration to appreciate every day alive.

In retirement, Ed and Marj spent a great deal of time travelling the world and at the beach enjoying the coastal amenities of Ipswich and the North Shore of Massachusetts. All they needed to be content was the sea, a cappuccino, and each other.

Marjorie Lynn, who passed just this year, was the love of his life and they were married for 65 years. Ed is survived by his son, Bruce, daughter-in-law, Lori, daughter, Sharyl, son-in-law, Scott, and four grandchildren, Isley, Chase, Katrina and Max.

ARRANGEMENTS: Ed's services will be held at the Northshore Unitarian Universalist Church in Danvers on Saturday, March 1st at 5 pm. Assisting the family with the arrangements is O'Donnell Cremations – Funerals- Celebrations, 167 Maple St., (Rte. 62) DANVERS. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Marj Lynn Memorial Fund. Checks payable to NSUU ('Marj Lynn Memorial Fund' in Memo) c/o Northshore Unitarian Universalist Church, 323 Locust Street, Danvers, MA 01923. This fund was established by the NSUU church and the Lynn Family to serve issues of social justice, gender equality and human rights. To share a memory or to offer a condolence please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.

Marj Lynn Memorial Fund, C/O Northshore Unitarian Universalist Memorial Fund
323 Locust St., Danvers MA 01923