In the month of May, Chester Lynn Wickwire was born, and in another May, 81 years later, he died. He was born on May 3, 1940 in Delta, Colorado. At age 4 1/2 Lynn contracted a life-altering disease, type 1 diabetes, and for almost his entire life wrestled that disease to the ground, gaining strength, knowledge and support from the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, Mass. He continued his nearly lifelong association with Joslin, earning a 75-year medal, for living successfully with diabetes, from the Joslin Medalist Society, at age 80, and was determined to receive the 80-year-medal, but that was not to be. He died on May 25 in Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, Mass. His wife, Barbara (Frick) Wickwire, said he died of natural causes. Within those 81 seasons, Lynn lived his life celebrating each day, taking joy in simple pleasures such as the yearly return of the barn swallows to the shed on his Concord, Mass. property. He lived his life with grace, courage, quiet strength, humor and adventure. In recent years, as life got quieter, there was still walking and golf organized by son, Christopher, who knew Lynn's very being depended on the routine of exercise. His daughter, Beth, was a steely presence in his last days, advocating for her father when he could no longer use his own voice. He traveled the path together with his wife of 57 years, from adventure and music, to doing dialysis at home. Even while away on business, Lynn always made sure to be back for sporting events of his children, a vocal supporter in the stands for his son Christopher's lacrosse games and daughter Beth's tennis or soccer events. In the Julia Child cooking days, he was known to bring home pots and equipment from Bridge Kitchenware in New York City, vanilla from Mexico, or fresh fish from Seattle. In more recent times, he regularly attended older granddaughter Sylvie's concerts, and enjoyed taking granddaughter Lila to her weekly horseback riding lessons. His father, Chester, was the chaplain of Johns Hopkins University. His mother, Mary Ann (Herwick) Wickwire, was a teacher and librarian. In addition to his wife, he is survived by son, Christopher; daughter, Beth; granddaughters, Sylvie and Lila; brothers, Jon and Brian; nephews, Matthew and Christian, and niece, Clarey. Lynn was a camper and counselor for many years at Camp Joslin, a camp for diabetic boys in Charlton, Mass. He graduated from St. Paul's School in Brooklandville, Md. (1958), received a BA, Western Maryland College (1962), and a master's degree in city planning, Yale University, (1964). He grew up singing in the Choir of Men and Boys at Trinity Church on the Green in New Haven, Conn., and St. Paul's Choir in Brooklandville, Md. He continued singing, as a member of Yale's Battell Chapel Choir when he was in graduate school, and with the Yale Russian Chorus. He sang with the Yale Russian Alumni Chorus until two years ago. He began his career working for Governor Nelson Rockefeller in New York State, in various roles, culminating with serving as executive director of the first Cable Television Commission. He continued working in government relations, public service and financial services. Always devoted to the Joslin Diabetes Center, Lynn was active until shortly before his death as a member of The Medalist Program, and as chair of the Patient Family Advisory Council. Lynn and Barbara enjoyed the adventure of converting their mid-19th century barn to a home in Concord, Mass., on the public television show, This Old House, 1989-90. At the barn-raising, Lynn could be found at the top of the timber frame, hammering in a small pine tree, a symbol of giving back to the forest, while his wife waited anxiously on the ground. In May of this year, as son Christopher said, he laid his burden down. Lynn's ashes were buried in a private family ceremony in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord, Mass., a place of one of many Saturday morning runs, and later walks, with his cherished Concord Runners. In the early afternoon sun, a chorus of barn swallows accompanied his final journey, swooping and diving in the sky above. Gifts in Lynn's memory can be directed to Joslin Diabetes Center, 1 Joslin Place, Suite 745, Boston, MA 02215 or online at www.joslin.org/donate. Arrangements are under the care of Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord.