From left, Red Bank Catholic President Bob Abatemarco, Monsignor Joseph Rosie, St. James Parish, Ann Marie Lynch, Tyler Rocha, Will Lynch (standing in for Dennis Lynch Jr.), and RBC Principal Karen Falco. RBC freshman Tyler Rocha is the second recipient of the Dennis P. Lynch ’59 Merit Scholarship. 
Dennis Lynch, Class of 1959. 
Dennis Lynch and Ann Marie Blades Lynch in high school.
RED BANK – The recipient of this year’s Dennis P. Lynch ’59 Merit Scholarship is Tyler Rocha, an incoming freshman in the Red Bank Catholic Class of ’27. Tyler, who finished eighth grade at Saint Dominic School in Brick, is the second recipient of the Lynch Scholarship, which was endowed at Red Bank Catholic last year. The scholarship was created by the Lynch family in memory of Dennis, who personified excellence of character, integrity and motivation, and whose kindness and respect for others were demonstrated by his lifelong generosity and community service.
The Dennis P. Lynch Scholarship was established as a four-year, full-tuition merit scholarship, awarded annually to an incoming freshman who is a well-rounded student leader dedicated to learning and personal growth. Lynch Scholars will be encouraged to use their talents to live the mission established by the Sisters of Mercy in an active way in both the school and the larger community.
Ann Marie Blades Lynch ’59, Dennis’ wife, was amazed by how many worthy students and outstanding applications the committee received for this year’s scholarship. However, it was Tyler’s that stood out among the others.
“Tyler’s application and essay really captured the heart of what this scholarship is all about. Not only is he graduating at the top of his eighth-grade class and president of the NJHS, but he demonstrated the leadership positions he has taken at school and his community, as well as the motivation to seek new challenges and the determination to succeed.”
When asked what being the newest Lynch Scholar meant to him, Tyler was very enthusiastic. “It’s an amazing honor to have been awarded this scholarship and to be able to carry on Mr. Lynch’s legacy.”
“I’m so grateful to my husband for enabling us to establish our family foundation so that I may now have the opportunity, in his name, to do something so worthwhile for RBC,” said Ann Marie.
“I am excited for the eager, wonderful students who aspire to the Lynch Scholarship and also deeply thankful to my son Dennis for joining me in perpetuating the process far into the future.”
The first Dennis P. Lynch Merit Scholarship was awarded to David Louis Connolly ’26, of Tinton Falls. David, who is known as Louie, has already made his mark at RBC by serving on the student council, as a member of the freshman football, wrestling and baseball teams, and joining Caseys for a Cure.
Due to the strength of this year’s applications, the Lynch family decided to recognize three scholarship finalists; Sean Naughton of St. Mary’s, and Aine Lenahan and Eamon Lenahan, both from St. Dominic’s. These three students will each enter their freshman year with a $1,000 honorable mention scholarship.
“The Dennis P. Lynch Scholarship has already done so much good for its recipients,” said RBC president Robert Abatemarco. “We are incredibly proud of Dennis’s legacy here at RBC as well as the amazing things we know that Lynch Scholars will achieve, both here and in the future.”
This article originally appeared in the October 19 – 25, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
