The National Funeral Directors Association held their annual convention, October 25-28 in Boston, Massachusetts.  It was the largest convention held since 1998.  Patrick E. Lynch was elected President – Elect and will automatically become President in October 2010, in New Orleans at the NFDA Convention.  Following is an excerpt from the nomination speech given by Pat’s son, Paddy Lynch.

“And so in light of your numerous accomplishments with MFDA and all that you have already brought to NFDA, and in recognition of the thousands of families you have tenderly and compassionately served back home over the past 40 years, and in honor of your many brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews who look to you in confidence as they carry on this sacred family work, and as a testament to all of your colleagues here today who wear black and answer the phone in the middle of the night, and with the blessing of Joseph of Arimathea, patron saint of undertakers, who courageously took our Lord off the cross and prepared His holy body for burial, and in the name of your father, Edward of blessed memory, who taught you the meaning of what we do and who considered you the finest funeral director he had ever known, and in memory of his beloved Rosemary, your saintly mother, who died peacefully in her bedroom and was carried carefully down the steps like gold by you and your brothers exactly 20 years ago this morning---in light of all these things as well as my resolute and permanent admiration for who you are and my deepest gratitude for all that you have taught me about what we do, I nominate you, Patrick E. Lynch, for president-elect of the National Funeral Directors Association.  May God continue to bless you in this family tradition of dignified service.”