Obituary: John J. Lyons, Industrial Engineer

Obituary from Burke-Magliozzi Funeral Home.

John J. Lyons, a resident of Danvers, formerly of Andover and Bradenton, FL, passed away of natural causes on Thursday, September 17, 2015 at Twin Oaks Center in Danvers. He was 94 years old.

Born in New Bedford, Massachusetts on April 18, 1921, John was the son of the late James and Julia (Kares) Lyons. A World War II veteran, John served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps and was awarded five battle stars. He was a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and worked as an Industrial Engineer in both the textile and electronic industries.

John was lucky in love, and found his match in the sister of his childhood friend and classmate. He and Lillian Wobecky married on November 11, 1942. When John accepted a position with Western Electric in 1956, the couple moved to Andover where they raised their family, and became active in St. Augustine’s Parish. John was a member of the Andover Knights of Columbus, where he served as Grand Knight from 1963-64. When he retired in 1980, John and Lillian headed to Bradenton, FL where they spent 28 happy years in retirement. They returned to Massachusetts in 2008 to be closer to family.

John enjoyed candlepin bowling and golfing throughout his life, but tennis was his game. An avid player, he competed on the courts well into his eighties.

John has now joined his wife, Lillian, whom he has missed dearly since her passing last year. He is survived by children, Sharon and husband Michael Connolly of Woodstock, NY, Dennis of Danvers, and Kathy and husband Walter Dobravolsky of Cedar Park, TX. He was “Grampy” to 12 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. Predeceased by two sisters, he is survived by two sisters, Margaret Benoit of Brockton, and Theresa Wetzel of New Bedford, and brother, William and wife, Florence of Bradenton, FL, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, September 25, 2015, from 6 to 8 PM at the Burke-Magliozzi Funeral Home, 390 North Main Street, Andover. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2015, at 9:30 AM at St. Augustine’s Church, 43 Essex Street, Andover, followed by interment in Spring Grove Cemetery in Andover. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 60 Walnut Street, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481. For additional information, please visit, www.burkemagliozzi.com.