Thomas Richard Lyons

Thomas Richard Lyons, age 89, and a former Kankakee resident died on January 27, 2023, in St. Charles, Illinois.

Thomas, or Dick as he was known to friends and family, was born on February 4, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York, the only child of Thomas and Madelyn Lyon. On December 29, 1956, he married Mary Devine.

Dick served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1955 until 1962, attaining the rank of First Lieutenant.

Dick attended St. Peter's College in Jersey City, New Jersey, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. He enjoyed a 45-year career in manufacturing. He worked for many years at Crown Cork and Seal Inc., overseeing production at multiple manufacturing plants across North America.

Once he retired in 1996, Dick and Mary moved to a house along the Kalamazoo River in Saugatuck, Michigan. They turned the house into a home, making it a frequent summer vacation stop for their children and grandchildren for nearly 30 years. Each Fourth of July weekend, the house was filled with more people than the rooms could hold as they gathered for good food, swimming, boating, and fireworks, a favorite tradition for four generations of the Lyons family.

Dick loved woodworking in his shop, always branding or carving his name on the one-of-a-kind pieces he crafted for loved ones. He found his work with the Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Society very rewarding. His restoration of an 1854 Francis Metallic Surfboat, which was recovered from Saugatuck Harbor, is on permanent display at the historical society.

He was an avid sailor and captained many fine vessels, but his favorite was their 40-foot sailboat, Lionheart. He and Mary enjoyed many excursions, sailing Lake Michigan, in the Caribbean, and in Hawaii. They passed their love of sailing on to three generations, and always had a ready and willing crew when they headed out.

His family was his pride and joy. He loved being with his children and grandchildren, learning about their lives and telling family stories. He cherished moments with his family and cultivated an atmosphere where togetherness is paramount.

He was a member of St. Peter's Parish in Saugatuck, Michigan, where he and Mary practiced their faith and found community.

He is survived by Mary, his wife of 66 years. He is also survived by his children Rick (David Green) Lyons, Mary Jo (Mark) Sandheinrich, Tom (Kelly) Lyons, Mark (Tom Clark) Lyons, Rob (Jenny) Lyons, and Joe (Kim) Lyons, his son-in-law Dave Piekarz, and his grandchildren Andy (Nicole Cooke) Lyons, Molly (Uli) Werner, Adam (Sam) Lyons, Mitch Lyons, Patrick Lyons, Katie (Patrick Leitheiser) Sandheinrich, Lou Piekarz, Ian Lyons, Maddie Sandheinrich, Mary Rose Piekarz, Megan Sandheinrich, Will Lyons, Tommy Piekarz, Grace Lyons, Hattie Lyons, Maggie Lyons, Phoebe Lyons, and Tommy Lyons. He adored his great-grandchildren, Brynn Rose Werner and Eleanor Rose Lyons.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Madelyn, and his beloved daughter Roseann Piekarz.

Donations can be made to St. Jude’s in Dick's honor here: http://giftfunds.stjude.org/DickLyonsMemorial.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on February 25, 2023, at Yurs Funeral Home in St. Charles, Illinois.