Charles H. Lyons, 85
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. - Charles H. Lyons, 85, of Sweetwood Retirement Community, died peacefully on Friday, Oct. 21, 2010, at Sweet Brook Care Centers, six weeks after his beloved wife, Harriet, died.
Born in Floral Park, Long Island, N.Y., on Nov. 16, 1924, to Henry and Almira Lyons, he attended Floral Park High School. He graduated from Oberlin College and he received his master's degree in education from St. Lawrence University and taught in Saugerties, N.Y.
An Army veteran of World War II, he was drafted in March 1943 after completing a semester at Oberlin College. He served in the 69th Infantry Division until his discharge on March 2, 1946. He was awarded the Bronze Star for operating a radio in an exposed position in Eilenburg, Germany.
Mr. Lyons was an educator for 30 years, teaching junior high English and social studies in the Scarsdale Public Schools. He was a respected tutor, particularly for international students, and taught the English as a Second Language Program at Scarsdale Junior High School in the last few years of his career.
After taking early retirement for health reasons, he taught English part time at the Berlitz School to international families and became a volunteer at White Plains (N.Y.) Hospital, which he loved. The latter led to a full-time job in the hospital's Medical Records Department, from which he finally retired on Dec. 31, 2004, following his 80th birthday. One month later, when his wife became ill, the Lyons moved permanently to Williamstown to be near their only child, Marjorie "Margie" Durning.
Mr. Lyons was an active volunteer in his church and community, and enjoyed walking, biking, reading and watching sports of all kinds. He was a devoted husband and exceptional father and grandfather. A gentle and humble man who faced many health issues during his life, his positive attitude and enjoyment of each day were an inspiration, said family, and his smile brightened the lives of all who met him.
He and his wife, the former Harriet Brinkman, met in high school and were married in Belrose, N.Y., on Aug. 2, 1947. Mrs. Lyons died Sept. 6.
Besides his daughter and her husband, Dr. Ronald B. "Skip" Durning Jr., of Williamstown, he leaves two loving grandsons, Matthew Durning and his longtime partner, Krista Northup, of Oakland, Calif., and Peter Durning and his wife, Erin Carney, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; a sister, Alice Eckardt, of Coopersburg, Pa.; two brothers, Donald Lyons and his wife, Joni, of Vineyard Haven and Edward Lyons and his wife, Cory, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; a sister-in-law, Nancy Hoffman of Greenbrae, Calif., and nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his sister-in-law Joan Evans and three brothers-in-law, Robert Evans, Jack Hoffman and Roy Eckardt.
The family would like to thank the staff at Sweetwood and on the Dorothy Hickey wing of Sweet Brook Care Centers for the dignity, humor and warmth with which they treated Mr. Lyons during his years in Williamstown.
FUNERAL NOTICE - There will be no calling hours for Mr. Lyons. The family plans a celebration of both Charles and Harriet's lives in the spring. Those wishing to make donations in his memory may do so to the Diabetes Association in care of Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, Central Chapels, 74 Marshall St., North Adams, MA 01247.