Obituary For Very Rev'd Norman Lynas

We regret to announce the death of the VERY REVD. NORMAN NOEL LYNAS, Canon Emeritus of the Anglican Church of Bermuda. Canon Norman went home to our Lord on Good Friday morning, April 2, 2021. He died peacefully at home in Sun City Center, Florida with his wife Mary-Claire and other family by his side; his sons Adam and Tristan were also present 'virtually' (from France and Ireland respectively). Canon Norman's death was a result of injuries and subsequent complications from a debilitating accident he suffered in Bermuda which left him paralyzed from the neck down in July 2020.Norman is survived by his wife Mary-Claire Lynas (nee Havas), son Tristan of Kilkenny, Ireland, son Adam and his wife Julie (nee Koziel) of France and step-daughter, Alyssa "Aly" French and her partner Jerimaya Grabher of California. In addition, Norman leaves behind his mother-in-law, Judy Havas of Florida, his late wife Nichola's (nee Williamson) mother, Myra Williamson of Northern Ireland, his brothers Trevor, Colin and Paul Lynas, and Paul's husband John. In addition to friends and colleagues in multiple countries around the world, Norman leaves behind beloved aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews of multiple generations whom he loved deeply and who loved him equally.Canon Norman had a mystical experience at the age of 16 when he knew that God was calling him to serve in the church. A gifted student, Norman went on to major in and complete his Master's Degree (with honors), in Biblical Language Literature and Theology at Saint Andrew's University in Scotland, followed by post graduate studies at Trinity College, Dublin where he was also recipient of the Theological Society Medal for composition on The Petrine Texts.After serving as Deacon at Seapatrick Church, Norman was ordained in 1979 at St. Columba's Parish, Knock, Belfast in Northern Ireland. He also served the parishioners of Knockbreda Parish, Holywood Parish before being appointed in 1991 as Dean of St. Canice's Cathedral, Diocese of Ossory and Rector of the Kilkenny Group of Parishes, Kilkenny, in the Republic of Ireland where he served until coming to Bermuda in 2009 as interim Priest at Holy Trinity Church in Bailey's Bay.Norman was then invited by (now retired) Bishop Patrick White, to the post of Canon Residentiary and Sub Dean of the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity in Hamilton, Bermuda, where he remained joyfully working alongside Bishop Nicholas Dill and Fr. Paul Dean until his accident. During his tenure in Bermuda, Norman also felt privileged to support the various organizations and people who helped to make Bermuda grow as a loving community of people caring for one another. Canon Norman officially retired on his 65th birthday, December 2, 2020.Canon Norman's remains will be laid to rest in Hillsborough, County Down, Ireland, next to his beautiful late wife Nichola after a small private funeral. In due course, there will be a memorial service announced to celebrate his life at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity in Hamilton, and another at St. Canice's Cathedral in Kilkenny, Ireland.As we grieve for the loss of our beloved Norman, we will remember his wonderful smile, his brilliant mind and infectious laughter, his integrity, his passion for sport and mostly, his devotion to his family and especially to his God by living a life of integrity and kindness.Well done, good and faithful servant. - Matt 25:23