Thomas Lyons Watervliet, New York Obituary

Thomas Lyons

WATERVLIET Thomas Bernard Lyons Jr., 91, passed away with family by his side on October 10, 2012. Tom was born July 21, 1921 in Troy, N.Y. He was the son of the late Thomas and Mary (Ellis) Lyons Sr. Tom and his beloved, recently deceased wife, Theresa (Carr) Lyons were married 68 years ago on June 21, 1944, in St Brigid's Church in Port Schuyler, Watervliet. Tom was an active member and communicant of St. Brigid's and more recently the Catholic Community of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Watervliet. Tom was also a member of the St. Brigid's Holy Name Society. He worked on many activities at St. Brigid's, most notably fundraising for the school through the bingo program for many years. He worked closely with many priests stationed at St. Brigid's and counted them among his friends. Like Theresa, Tom sought strength through prayer in times of need. His rosary always seemed to be within arm's reach. Tom graduated from Catholic Central and attended Siena College. He worked in the field of metallurgy at the Watervliet Arsenal, first in the big gun shop before moving to Bene Laboratories. Tom was a veteran and proud of his country and especially its flag and all that it stands for. Tom loved baseball and played infield during his high school days. In later years he played fast pitch softball as a pitcher for various teams in the capital district. He was an avid Met's fan and founder of the Met's legacy within the family. Tom was an advocate for youth, serving as a scouting leader for many years, organizing and overseeing hiking and camping trips for hundreds of youth and in doing so introducing them to nature and ways of survival in the outdoors. He was also active in youth ice hockey. Tom and Theresa welcomed neighborhood kids to their home where there was enough room for tag and hide and seek in the summer and a backyard ice skating rink in the winter. Tom was very close to his sisters Rosemary and Marjorie. He maintained a strong connection with Rosemary's family (the Fennessys). There were many trips between Watervliet and East Hartford as part of that connection. Tom and Theresa traveled extensively across the country, often staying with their daughter's family in Arizona. Their grandchildren and great-grandchildren were absolute centers of joy in their lives. Thomas is survived by his children, Thomas (Susan) B. Lyons III, Paul Francis Lyons, Katherine Howard and Martin (Beth DiCocco) John Lyons. Tom is also survived by 12 dear grandchildren, Zeke, Jonothon, Katherine, Jimmy, Tom, Bill, Otis, Robin, Kelly, Hannah, Hilary and Grace; as well as three great-grandchildren, Ceder, Malakai, and Eli. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and by Doris (Carr) Gronau who was very close to him and her sister Theresa. Thomas was predeceased by Theresa and his sisters, Rosemary (Lyons) Fennessy and Marjorie Jane Lyons. The family extends heartfelt thanks to so many especially Drs. Benton, and Pica and their staff, Interim Health Care staff, Meals on Wheels, and Father Deimeke and the staff of Immaculate Heart of Mary parish. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral mass on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 25th St. & 7th Ave., Watervliet. The family will receive friends prior to the mass in the vestibule of the church starting at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Watervliet. Contributions can be made in Thomas's name to Albany County Meals on Wheels program or by giving to the charity of one's choice.
July 21, 1921 - October 10, 201207/21/192110/10/2012
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Obituary

WATERVLIET Thomas Bernard Lyons Jr., 91, passed away with family by his side on October 10, 2012. Tom was born July 21, 1921 in Troy, N.Y. He was the son of the late Thomas and Mary (Ellis) Lyons Sr. Tom and his beloved, recently deceased wife, Theresa (Carr) Lyons were married 68 years ago on June 21, 1944, in St Brigid's Church in Port Schuyler, Watervliet. Tom was an active member and communicant of St. Brigid's and more recently the Catholic Community of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Watervliet. Tom was also a member of the St. Brigid's Holy Name Society. He worked on many activities at St. Brigid's, most notably fundraising for the school through the bingo program for many years. He worked closely with many priests stationed at St. Brigid's and counted them among his friends. Like Theresa, Tom sought strength through prayer in times of need. His rosary always seemed to be within arm's reach. Tom graduated from Catholic Central and attended Siena College. He worked in the field of metallurgy at the Watervliet Arsenal, first in the big gun shop before moving to Bene Laboratories. Tom was a veteran and proud of his country and especially its flag and all that it stands for. Tom loved baseball and played infield during his high school days. In later years he played fast pitch softball as a pitcher for various teams in the capital district. He was an avid Met's fan and founder of the Met's legacy within the family. Tom was an advocate for youth, serving as a scouting leader for many years, organizing and overseeing hiking and camping trips for hundreds of youth and in doing so introducing them to nature and ways of survival in the outdoors. He was also active in youth ice hockey. Tom and Theresa welcomed neighborhood kids to their home where there was enough room for tag and hide and seek in the summer and a backyard ice skating rink in the winter. Tom was very close to his sisters Rosemary and Marjorie. He maintained a strong connection with Rosemary's family (the Fennessys). There were many trips between Watervliet and East Hartford as part of that connection. Tom and Theresa traveled extensively across the country, often staying with their daughter's family in Arizona. Their grandchildren and great-grandchildren were absolute centers of joy in their lives. Thomas is survived by his children, Thomas (Susan) B. Lyons III, Paul Francis Lyons, Katherine Howard and Martin (Beth DiCocco) John Lyons. Tom is also survived by 12 dear grandchildren, Zeke, Jonothon, Katherine, Jimmy, Tom, Bill, Otis, Robin, Kelly, Hannah, Hilary and Grace; as well as three great-grandchildren, Ceder, Malakai, and Eli. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and by Doris (Carr) Gronau who was very close to him and her sister Theresa. Thomas was predeceased by Theresa and his sisters, Rosemary (Lyons) Fennessy and Marjorie Jane Lyons. The family extends heartfelt thanks to so many especially Drs. Benton, and Pica and their staff, Interim Health Care staff, Meals on Wheels, and Father Deimeke and the staff of Immaculate Heart of Mary parish. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral mass on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 25th St. & 7th Ave., Watervliet. The family will receive friends prior to the mass in the vestibule of the church starting at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Watervliet. Contributions can be made in Thomas's name to Albany County Meals on Wheels program or by giving to the charity of one's choice.

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