Thomas Lynch is the president and senior partner in the firm of Lynch & Sons Funeral Directors in Milford. and Brighton.  After graduation from Brother Rice High School in 1966, he attended Oakland University and graduated from Wayne State University Department of Mortuary Science and was licensed in 1973, joining the firm founded by his father, Edward J. Lynch, Jr.  
    When the family purchased the former Richardson-Bird Funeral Homes in Milford and Walled Lake, Tom moved to Milford, in June of 1974, and has served that community since.  
    A past president of the Milford Chamber of Commerce and Milford Rotary Club, a member of St. Mary's Church and a member of the Michigan Board of Examiners in Mortuary Science, he is also a widely published poet and writer.  His book, The Undertaking -- Life Studies from the Dismal Trade won The American Book Award, The Heartland Prize for Nonfiction and was a Finalist for the National Book Award.  It is published in eight languages.  In addition to eight published books, his work has appeared in The New Yorker, Harper's, The Atlantic, The New York Times, The Christian Century and elsewhere.  He lectures with the graduate program in Creative Writing at the University of Michigan and is a frequent presenter to clergy, hospice, funeral service and literary groups around the country.  He is married to the artist, Mary Tata, and together they keep homes in Milford and in West Clare, Ireland.  His son, Tommy is a professional fly-fishing guide.  His daughter, Heather Grace works with the American Friends Service Committee and operates Grace Consultancy, and sons Mike and Sean work with him in funeral service.