The “Doc Lynch Band - Circa 1930’s
The following pictures were sent to us by his son, Rev Kevin Lynch (Class of 1971).
If anyone has any memories of the local dance bands or comments please send them to us.

My dad did not graduate high school. If he had it would have probably been around 1931, as he was born in 1913. I don't think he went further than the highest grade out of the old Oakside School. Depression times, and maybe moreso his dream of being a professional musician, intervened. He had a music teacher who was to introduce him to Glenn Miller, but passed away before he had the opportunity. After that my dad joined the CCC, and following that, the Army. He has the distinction of being the first to enlist from Peekskill at the outbreak of the war. I seem to recall a news article to that effect. He was a Staff Sergeant in charge of field radio operations for the 44th Infantry Division, and received the Bronze Star among other medals and commendations. He returned to Peekskill after the war in 1945. He always told me the nickname "Doc" came from the role of a doctor he played in an old Oakside school play. He had three siblings: Eddie, Frank, and Monica. He passed away in 1990 at the age of 77.

He told me that he had played the Glen Island Casino, as well as the club at the top of Mt. Beacon (remember the World's Steepest Incline with the rail car going up the front of it), and many other places in the area. I believe he also played with Johnny and Eddie McGinnis at different times as well.
 

 This picture is of Doc, second from the left

 In the interest of perhaps of some remembering my dad. He also was a great local athlete, particularly in the sport of football. He played for the old Guardian A.A., which was a semi-pro team back in the early 30's. I used to have a program from a game they played against the Sing-Sing Prison Blacksheep. My dad told me there was one ex-pro on the team by the name of Alabama Pitts. I vaguely remember some of his team mates as Jinx Kohut, Vinny "Man Mountain" Gagliardo (spelling?), and someone who was involved but not a player by the name of Fritzy Myers. Also one of the Piccirillo's, Sam I think, may have been a team manager of sorts.
 

Doc Lynch is on the far left and his sister, Monica (Lynch) Vitolo)
Other known members of the band were Jack Gioacchini, Carl Evans, Arn Townsend

         A memorable picture of the Tumble Inn ~~ Hawthorne, N. Y.

       Doc played The Elms -- where could you get a night of dancing and eating for $1.00!!

Webmasters Note: I am wondering if nicknames get passed along somehow. There was a Robert "Doc" Lynch in the class of 1938 who was quite some athlete, but I don't think he had any musical inclination.
I remember the Tumble Inn very well in the 30's -- there was also Harveys (with a juke box) Chesterbrook, Old Dutch Mill, and Shadowbrook. After proms we would go to the Blue Gardens or Armonk Casino - and if you were really flush with about $5 you could take in Glenn Miller at the Glen Island Casino. We had tea dances on some Friday afternoons in the gym but I don't remember any live music but there may have been.
 

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