Bernard James Lyons

Bernard (Bernie) James Lyons departed this world on April 10, 2017 at age 92. Bernie graduated from Officers Training School in New London, Connecticut. Shortly after graduation, he met the love of his life, Alline Bessie Piner. They had a loving marriage for 69 years. He will be sadly missed by his children, Thomas (Carolyn), Lynda (Ron) and Lance (Judy). He had seven grandchildren, Jonathan Lyons (deceased), Jason Young, Ashley Filio, Sara Lyons, Lauren Lyons, Alexis Landry and Justin Landry, and four great grandchildren, Julia, Gavin, Carly, Mariah and Tucker and several loving nieces and nephews. He was one of 9 children born April 5, 1925 to the late Edward and Amelia Lyons in Wilmington, Massachusetts. He lived in New Orleans for 34 years, Slidell 6 years and Katrina retired him in Madisonville, Louisiana. Bernie entered the school of hard knocks at a young age enlisting in the US Merchant Marines in World War II from 1941 and serving until August 15, 1945 when he received the Victory Medal, Honorable Service Button, and Presidential Testimonial Letter with distinguished honorable discharge from the United States Coast Guard. He was an Abled Body Seaman aboard the James Bowie on the Murmansk Run whereby only 11 of 34 unarmed cargo ships braved rough seas and relentless assault from Nazi torpedo-bombers and German U-boats, yet managed to deliver aircraft, tanks, explosives and critical supplies to Murmansk, USSR. Bernie was former part-owner of Lou-Con, Inc. from 1959 till his retirement in March 2011. He was a member of Local 60 Plumbers & Steamfitters Union, Mechanical Contractors of New Orleans, and Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. He was an avid gardener, world traveler, and enjoyed celebrating life to its fullest with family and friend gatherings. The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to St. Tammany hospice and Greg Schilling for their special care. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral service at Lake Lawn Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd, on Thursday, April 13, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be All Saints Mausoleum. To view and sign the online guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.