Paul K. Lynner, Sr., 81, of Vero Beach, died Thursday, June 11, 2009. He was born Sept. 23, 1927, in Floral Park, N.Y., and had been a resident of Vero Beach for 18 years, coming from Long Island. Mr. Lynner was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He graduated from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N.J. with a Bachelors of Science in Physical Education and History. Mr. Lynner was the Associate Professor of Physical Education at Hofstra University, Long Island, from 1952 to 1990, Men’s Varsity Basketball Coach at Wheatly High School, Old Westbury, N.Y., from 1973 to 1978, National Tennis Coach, from 1976 to 1981, for the American Athletic Association of the Deaf.Later he became the Director of the Grant Program in New York City for the Deaf Student Population and from 1992 to 1996 he coached the Boy’s Tennis Team at St. Edwards Upper School, Vero Beach.Mr. Lynner was a member of the U.S. Basketball Coaches Association and was an Intercollegiate Tennis Coaches Association National Executive Board Member from 1968 to 1970. He was the New York Basketball Coaches Association President from 1968 to 1971 and the U.S. Professional Tennis Association Eastern Division President from 1968 to 1973. In 1977, he was awarded Tennis Professional of the Year, with the U.S. Professional Tennis Association, Eastern Division and in 1982, Tennis Coach of the Year, of the same association. He was a member of the Hofstra Faculty Senate, Hofstra University Senate and Faculty Personnel Board School of Education, chairman of the Hofstra University Scholarship Committee and Hofstra Department Personnel Committee.Also, Mr. Lynner had written “They Don’t Hear – Nobody Listens Better” in a 1978 Tennis Publication of Advantage Magazine. Locally, he was a member of Sea Oaks Beach and Tennis Club, Vero Beach.At the ages of 45, 50, 55 and 60, Mr. Lynner was ranked #1 in singles tennis, Eastern Division, within the U.S. Tennis Association and also No. 1 in singles tennis at the age of 65 and 70 within the Florida Division. He ranked in the National Top Ten in 1981, 1987 and 1997 within the same association.Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Claire H. Lynner; three daughters, Kathleen Anne Connolly, of Cooperstown, N.Y., Lizabeth Anne Lynner, of Denver, Colo., and Meg Anne Lynner, of Italy; son, Paul Kristian Lynner Jr., of New Smyrna Beach, and eight grandchildren.At the request of the family, there will be no services.Donations may be made to Meals on Wheels, Senior Resource Association, 694 14th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32962, in memory of Mr. Lynner.Arrangements are under the direction of Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach. An online guestbook may be signed at