A packed audience at Manhattan’s Riverside Church joined a host of political leaders August 15 to celebrate the life of Bill Lynch, the longtime political strategist and consultant, and good friend of 1199SEIU. Lynch passed away August 9 at age 72 from complications of kidney disease.

The roster of speakers and attendees read like a who’s who of Democratic Party VIPs, including Bill and Hillary Clinton. “Just before I met Bill (Lynch) I was told, ‘You’re going to meet the best politician in New York, and he’s better than you,’” said former Pres. Clinton at the service.

“One of his enduring legacies is his legion of protégés,” said Hillary Clinton, former secretary of state and senator from New York. “Bill had to navigate a very difficult ladder to the top, but he didn’t pull up the ladder when he got there.”

One of those protégés was Patrick Gaspard, a former political director in the Obama administration, executive director of the Democratic National Committee and political director of 1199SEIU, and now US Ambassador to South Africa.

Gaspard, after extending condolences from President Barack Obama, credited Lynch with giving him his start in electoral politics. “Bill had an unfailable eye for talent and although he was often pulling the strings in the background, he never showed the strings,” Gaspard noted. “He also taught us to always expand the circles.”

Several of the other speakers praised Lynch’s ability to unite disparate forces. “He was the glue that held so many of us together,” the Rev. Al Sharpton said. “Had he not done the work, we would not be where we are today.”

1199SEIU Pres. George Gresham also credited Lynch for his own and 1199SEIU accomplishments. “Bill always encouraged us to stand for what is right, and he taught us how to win,” Gresham declared. “We in 1199 will never forget what Bill meant to us.”

Gresham was accompanied to the stage by about 30 Union leaders and staff who carried placards bearing Lynch’s portrait and the words, “Thank you, Bill.”

Gresham said that in the past he often picked up the phone to seek Lynch’s counsel. “I can’t do that anymore, but I can still ask myself when I have a tough decision to make, “’What would Bill do?’”

Lynch is perhaps best know as the “rumpled genius” behind David Dinkins 1989 victory as New York City’s first African American mayor. But he was instrumental in many other political and social campaigns. Among them was coordinating the New York City welcome celebration for South African icon Nelson Mandela. Until his final days, Bill Lynch remained a key advisor to 1199SEIU leaders.

Virtually every speaker described Lynch’s involvement – usually behind the scenes – in their various struggles and campaigns. They included Dinkins, Rep. Charles Rangel, Attorney Basil Patterson, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, NAACP NYS President Hazel Dukes and Barnes &Noble chairman Leonard Riggio

Also on the program were Jazz at Lincoln Center artistic director Wynton Marsalis, who led a quartet in a stirring rendition of “Amazing Grace,” the Ebony Ecumenical Ensemble, and vocalists Richard Smallwood, Donnie McClurkin and Bebe Winans.

The Revs. Stephen Phelps, Linda Tarry-Chard, James A. Forbes, Jr. and Michael A. Waldron, Jr. presided.

Childhood friend Floyd Harris described life for him and Lynch in Mattituck, Long Island, where Lynch grew up, the son of a potato farmer.

William Bill Lynch, III and Stacy Lynch spoke movingly about their dad’s devotion to the family and the path he forged for them.

Former 1199SEIU President Dennis Rivera and SEIU Executive VP Gerry Hudson, and Bread and Roses Director Harry Belafonte were listed on the program as honorary pallbearers.

Lynch is survived by his wife, Mary, son William III, daughter Stacy and grandson, William 1V.

Rev. Forbes echoed the sentiments of many when he said of Lynch, “The song may have ended, but the melody lingers on.”