The Becket Beat team is back from our break and ready to report on all things Becket in 2026. Before moving ahead we pause to acknowledge the passing of two individuals who made lasting contributions to our community: Tom Lynch, a writer for the Becket Beat, and Bill Robinson, a longtime Becket resident and the subject of two Becket Beat articles.
Thomas Chapman Lynch, 79, died on September 27, 2025. A Massachusetts native, Tom lived a full and accomplished life. After graduating from Saint Johns Seminary in Brighton in 1967, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, rising to the rank of Captain in the Airborne Rangers. Following his military service, Tom became Director of Safety for the Army in New England and later co-founded Lynch, Ryan & Associates, a workers’ compensation consulting firm.
In retirement, Tom wrote for the Becket Beat and authored the Substack column Letters from the Berkshires, where he reflected on history, politics, and their relevance to contemporary life. The Becket Beat team will deeply miss Tom’s wit, talent, and humility.
William F. Robinson, Sr., died on December 9, 2025, at the age of 100. A well-attended funeral was held at the Becket Federated Church on December 20, followed by a celebration of his life in the Parish Hall. Burial will take place in the North Becket Cemetery this spring.
Bill moved to Becket in 1975 and was a beloved member of the community until his death. He served on the Becket Police Department for 10 years and was a deacon of the Becket Federated Church, where he served alongside his wife Catherine for nearly 30 years. He remained active in the congregation until his death.
