By Nathan Duke and stephen stirling
Dick Lynch, who played as a defensive back for the New York Giants from 1959 to 1966 and was a longtime radio analyst for the team, died last week in his Douglaston home. He was 72.
Lynch, who had been battling leukemia, died in the morning on Sept. 24. His wake was held Sunday at Frank E. Campbell Funeral Home in Manhattan and his funeral took place Monday at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Fans at his wake said they had listened to Lynch's broadcasts for years.
“I grew up listening to him,” said Tom Eagelton, 49. “His voice was as familiar to me as some of the people in my family. He was such a personality. As a sports fan, you never forget those people. They become the voice of the game and that's what he was.”
Fan John Farelli, 49, said he liked Lynch because of his love for the sport.
“He was more than an announcer, he was a fan,” he said. “I think that's what made him special to a lot of Giants fans. A damn shame, really — what a class act he was.”
Lynch's family declined to comment on his death.
Lynch was born April 29, 1936, in Oceanside, L.I., and played college football at the University of Notre Dame, where he is listed in the Hall of Fame. He ran a 3-yard touchdown in 1957 that gave the school a 7-0 win over Oklahoma.
In 1958, he played as a rookie for the Washington Redskins before joining the Giants one year later. In 1963, he led the NFL with nine interceptions, 251 return yards and three touchdowns. He had a career total of 35 interceptions and retired from the game in 1966.
“I had a great career,” Lynch was quoted as saying in a story about his career on the Giants' Web site. “I played with the best group of men you could play with, offensively and defensively. We hung together. In those days, you went out there with 11 people. You didn't go out there by yourself.”
Lynch began working as a color commentator for the Giants in 1967 and held that position until his death.
“Let's face it: For Giants fans, he was their Phil Rizzuto,” said sportscaster Bob Papa in the Giants' Web obituary, comparing the defensive back to Baseball Hall of Famer and New York Yankees announcer Phil “Scooter” Rizzuto.
“He was a Giants historian on the air for the fans.”
Lynch's son, Richard, 31, was killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the World Trade Center, where he worked on the 84th floor.
Lynch is survived by Rosalie Lynch, his wife of 47 years. The couple had six children and 11 grandchildren.
Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e-mail at nduke@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 156.
