Robert J. "Bob" Lyons Sr.

Robert "Bob" J. Lyons Sr., 88 years old. Born in Providence, R.I. Died April 16, 2015 in Osceola Hospital, Florida after a three week illness.
He was the son of the late George J. and Mary (Fitzpatrick) Lyons.
Survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Edwilda "Willie" (Wojcik) Lyons, and adoring children, Michael Lyons and wife Karen of N. Scituate, R.I.; Kimberly Lyons and husband Edward Stukane of Morristown, N.J.; Kristine Lyons-Paolantonio and husband Steve Paolantonio of N. Kingstown, R.I. and Glen Lyons and Mandy of Orlando, Fla. He was predeceased by his eldest son, Robert "Bobby" Lyons Jr. who died on March 25, 2015 in El Paso, Texas.
He is survived by his sister, Mary Hamilton of Pensacola, Fla. and was a brother to late siblings George J. Lyons Jr., Joseph Lyons and Anne Cumming.
His 12 cherished grandchildren are Shara Lyons-Young, Kyla, Ashley Lyons-Custodio, Christopher Lyons; Luke, Josh, Abigail and Jude Lyons; Cole and Quinn Stukane; Zao and Quin Le Paolantonio; also one great-grandchild, Jack Young.
Having raised their five children in Pawtucket, R.I., Bob and Willie split the recent years between Wakefield, R.I. and Poinciana, Fla.
He graduated from Mt. Pleasant High in Providence and at age 17 was called into the U.S. Navy and served two years, mainly in the South Pacific, and became an honored World War II veteran.
He was an active member of the Solivita Veterans Group, Poinciana, Fla.
Retired Supervisor from New England Telephone & Telegraph (now Verizon). In 1979 he was selected to fill a three year position with the phone company in Orlando, Fla. to work on the anti-trust suit which resulted in the historic break-up of AT&T.
While working for NET&T, he attended night classes at the University of Rhode Island.
Former President of the Holy Name Society of St. Leo's Church in Pawtucket, R.I. A communicant of St. Francis of Assisi parish in Wakefield, R.I. and of St. Rose of Lima Church in Kissimmee, Fla.
Ten year member of the barbershop choral group S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A. in Attleboro, Mass. and the Starlighters choral group of Solivita in Kissimmee, Fla.
Founding Father and former Vice President of the Pawtucket Pineview Little League.
An avid and skilled golfer with a love for all sports, he played baseball in high school and captained his hockey team. His encyclopedic knowledge of the last 80 years of sports was eclipsed only by his passion for and knowledge of American history.
He was happiest when surrounded by his family.
A joint Memorial Mass for both Robert Lyons Sr. and Robert Lyons Jr. will be held at 10 a.m. on July 11, 2015 at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 128 High St., Wakefield, RI 02879.