Cranston Clarke “Whitey” Lynch, 89, of New Bedford, died Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018. 

He was born Feb. 26, 1929, as Edward Russell Hearson, Jr. to Edward Russell and Lois Mae (Minkler) Hearson in Newport, R.I., and adopted and raised by Ms. Frances Lynch in North Kingstown, R.I., where he attended public schools. He joined the U.S. Coast Guard in 1947 stationed at Cuttyhunk Island, Mass., where he met and married Joan Grant Jenkins of Cuttyhunk and Rochester, Mass. 

He settled in Rochester after his Coast Guard service, where he built a home, raised his family and resided for over 40 years. He was a surveyor, employed by Samuel H. Coarse, now Tibbets Engineering. He was a drilling technician, environmental sampler and heavy equipment operator for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for over 30 years, working from Maine to West Virginia on several flood control, dams, missile sites, dredging projects and other capital infrastructure improvements. He had worked in almost every river and harbor along the New England coastline involved in environmental sampling long before it was fashionable. 

After retirement he was more known locally as Whitey Lynch for his firewood, logging and various equipment businesses. He was a true outdoorsman. In his early years he enjoyed hunting and fishing, and in his later years tinkering with old farm tractors, small engines and horse-trading. He loved animals and particularly his many dogs. 

His is survived by his wife, Lauren Winslow Lynch of New Bedford; a brother, Brenton Lynch of Palm Harbor, Fla.; his four children from his first marriage, Donald C. Lynch of Cuttyhunk, Pamela G. Tripp of Acushnet, Dale C. Lynch of Cuttyhunk and South Dartmouth, and Dennis W. Lynch of Fairhaven and Marion; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Funeral arrangements are private. He will be interred at a later date at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.