While most people were celebrating St. Patrick’s Day by using their livers as storage tanks for green beer, Oxford mortician Kevin Lynch was busy getting a shave and a haircut for a lot more than two bits.
Lynch, whose family owns and operates Lynch & Sons Funeral Directors Bossardet Chapel at 39 W. Burdick St., made his entire head a hair-free zone in order to raise $1,655 for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, which funds childhood cancer research.
The shaving was done publicly at the Uptown Grille in Commerce Township.
‘It’s weird seeing my face,? he said. ‘It’s my face and I’ve grown up with it, but I look a lot different to myself.?
For the better part of five years, Lynch had sported the type of beard Grizzly Adams would have been proud to have.
Now that it’s gone, Lynch is amazed by how much time he’s saving because he no longer has to clean his chin whiskers after eating and drinking.
‘It was almost like a monkey grooming himself,? he said.
Last month, Lynch decided to collect donations for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation and get everything above his neck shaved.
‘It gives kids with cancer and their families hope and it honors the kids who have died,? Lynch said.
Every year since 2000, St. Baldrick’s volunteers shave their heads in solidarity with kids fighting cancer and solicit donations for the foundation. Over the last 10 years, more than 106,000 volunteers have shaved their heads at events in all 50 states and in 24 countries, raising more than $68 million.
Lynch was grateful for all the support and donations he received.
‘It was helpful to me, but more importantly, it was for a great cause,? he said. ‘I really appreciate The Oxford Leader putting the story in (Feb. 24) and helping to raise some money.?
But Lynch wasn’t the only member of his family who went bald. At the last minute, his father and brother, Tim Lynch Sr. and Jr., decided to collect donations while at the restaurant and place their melons under the clippers. This pushed Lynch’s total to more than $2,000.
Like Lynch did, his dad got his head shaved along with his beard and mustache.
Lynch noted it was the first time he’d seen his father without a mustache since he was 7 years old.
‘It was pretty shocking,? he said.
About a week prior to the event, Lynch’s brother-in-law, Mark, also had to shave his head due to a mishap.
‘We’re all bald at this point,? he said.
So what does Lynch’s wife think of his new look?
‘I think she likes it,? he said. ‘She’s being supportive. If she doesn’t like it, she’s at least putting up a good front for me.?
His mother, who never liked the beard, is definitely thrilled.
‘My mom is loving seeing my face,? Lynch said.
If his hair grows back, Lynch, who’s going bald, said he might do it again next year.