I don't know exactly when I met Lynn Boscher, but I can't remember a time when I didn't know him.
I suspect it was 1978 or 1979 when we met. I was in first grade at St. Mary School and became fast friends with Kerry, Lynn's daughter. I didn't know then, but this would be a lifelong friendship that I've been happy to continue now, nearly 40 years later.
Throughout these past four decades, our friendship has ebbed and flowed because of jobs, kids and other changes in life. But, ours has been the kind of friendship in which months can pass without getting together only to be able to pick up right where we left off. This, I have come to learn, was passed on from Lynn. He was a steadfast friend and always welcomed people into his life.
Lynn Boscher died on Feb. 12, surrounded by family in his beloved city of Westfield.
Everyone who knew him - whether it was for 60 years or 60 minutes - says the same things:
He was a good friend.
He had a kind word for everyone.
He was a great guy.
He was a family man.
He enjoyed talking about any subject.
He loved Westfield.
The latter describes the Lynn who thousands of people came to know. He was dedicated to his community in a way people admire.
A longtime Westfield Rotarian, he exemplified its mission of "Service Above Self." His wife Mary and children, Kerry, Mary, Edward, Michael and his late son Paul, lived that life with him. They watched Lynn give back in so many ways.
His fellow Rotarians said they would feel his loss.
"Lynn was the epitome of the Rotary motto of Service Above Self," said Jennifer Gruszka of the Rotary Club of Westfield. "There was never a time where he wasn't thinking of how to improve the lives of others - from helping with countless events to just making you smile. He was full of life, laughter, silly jokes, stories and love. Lynn was a dear friend and mentor, and will be deeply missed."
He was a member of the City Council in 2004 and 2005 and, despite not seeking reelection, continued to receive write-in votes as recently as the 2018 municipal election.
Longtime friend and former councilor Mary O'Connell mourned the loss of Lynn.
"I have known Lynn for over 40 years, and he was definitely one of a kind," she said. "He was ethical and direct. He stood up for his ideals and dedicated himself in service to Westfield. I respected him so much and admired his approach and take on local politics and government. Lynn did not have a mean bone in his body and worked very hard on many different levels to make our community a better place. I will miss him, and I think his death will be a great loss for our city."
Current Councilor David Flaherty touted Boscher's service and interest in the community.
"Lynn was a wonderful, caring man," Flaherty said. "He served Westfield as a business owner, city councilor, Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Board member, Chamber of Commerce executive, Rotarian, and as an avid photographer for the Westfield News in his retirement years. He was very supportive of my efforts on the City Council and with the Boy Scouts, and he frequently asked about our Scouting adventures. He will be missed. My condolences go out to Mary and the family."
Mayor Brian P. Sullivan said, "Lynn was a very good guy. He was well respected in business, in City Council and in the community."
Lynn served as executive director of the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce from 2006 through 2010. Current executive director Kate Phelon said Lynn left some big shoes to fill.
"I am deeply saddened by the loss of my predecessor and fellow Rotarian, Lynn Boscher, as I have known Lynn well over 20 years. "He was so gracious and extremely helpful to me when I became the first woman president of the Westfield Rotary Club. I came to know his wife, Mary and a few of his children over the years. He was a pillar to the community and will be missed my many."
Many people knew Lynn as a business owner from the years in which he and his wife operated the Travel Bureau of Westfield. He helped thousands of people plan trips, which was something he was an expert in since traveling and having a good time were among his favorite things.
Friends and acquaintances alike took to social media upon hearing of Lynn's death and remarked that in addition to the great loss for the city, they would personally miss the good times they had with him.
Lynn loved music and martinis and could often be found throughout the city listening to live, local music and sharing food and drink with friends and strangers, who almost always felt like friends after a few minutes chatting with Lynn. He spent his retirement photographing events for local newspapers, sharing his passion once again with his community.
Lynn will be remembered as someone who loved life, his family and his city. And that's the way he'd like it.
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