Townsville photographer Bryan Lynch has passed away age 77 after battling illness for more than one year

Much-loved North Queensland photographer Bryan “Lynchie” Lynch has been remembered after his death as a warm and caring man who loved his community. Read the tributes.

Beloved NQ photographer Bryan Lynch has passed away aged 77.

Bryan “Lynchie” Lynch spent just shy of two decades with the Townsville Bulletin, making a mark not only on the newspaper but on the community he loved so much to photograph.

The beloved North Queensland snapper died early Saturday morning, January 11, after battling illness for close to a year. He was 77.

Daughter Penny Falkenhagen has described her father as a “funny, warm, caring, good family man,” who worked in all areas of photography.

“From advertising, social photos, news, he worked across the spectrum,” Mrs Falkenhagen said.

“Everything from photographing the car yards in Townsville to photographing nights out on Flinders Street.”

Bryan Lynch is being remembered for his work on the Townsville nightclub strip.

Mr Lynch starting a photography course at James Cook University in 1996 aged 49, the same year his daughter enrolled in journalism.

“Dad was telling me how lucky I was, saying he’d never had the chance to go to uni,” Mrs Falkenhagen recalled.

“So I told him to stop whinging and pick a course, so he opened the uni course guide and the first page he opened was photography.

“He said he’d always wanted to have a go at it, so he enrolled and dad was coming to uni with me.”

Despite his late start in the industry, Mr Lynch wasted no time making his mark on the community.

During his time at the Townsville Bulletin, Mr Lynch was involved in a range of stories across North Queensland, covering train derailments, car crashes, baby birds, celebrity weddings and a visit from Chris Hemsworth.

“He dealt with everyone, from the criminals going to court and the bikini girls and the Flinder Street angels right up to standing with the Prime Minister,” Mrs Falkenhagen said.

“Dad was there for all of it, he just loved dealing with the people.

“He loved documenting the big moments, the small moments, the happy times and the sad times.

“It was pretty special, getting to work alongside my dad.”

Bryan Lynch is being remembered for his work on the Townsville nightclub strip.

But as much as he enjoyed working in news photography, Mr Lynch loved the experiences that came with social photography.

Mr Lynch spent years capturing the smiles — and antics — of party goers along Townsville’s nightclub strip, becoming a familiar face with so many.

“He loved dealing with the young people and being really involved in the night-life of Townsville,” Mrs Falkenhagen said.

“Being on the streets he’d always say kept him young.

“While he was driven by the story, his love and connection with the people is what really drove him to excel in his job.”

Since his passing, Mr Lynch’s family have received thoughtful messages from friends and community members across the country.

“He’s had messages from old friends in Coonabarabran, messages from friends looking to come up from Victoria,” Mrs Falkenhagen said.

“So many messages from people he’s worked with and met through work across the time.

“We’re remembering the good times, there was always a lot of laughter in our house and that continued right up to his death.”

Mr Lynch leaves behind wife Patti, three children, and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He will be farewelled on Friday in Ayr.

Originally published as Townsville photographer Bryan Lynch has passed away age 77 after battling illness for more than one year