Thomas Joseph Lyons Jr.

Thomas Joseph Lyons, Jr. of Virginia Beach died on October 7, 2022, having lived a remarkable life of 81 years. He leaves a profound legacy of family, business, and community. Tom's life was fully committed to achieving the highest potential for the projects he loved and improving the quality of life for his family.

Tom is survived by his wife, Joan Nixon Lyons, of 40 years; daughters Lisa Frulla (spouse David and grandchildren Everett and Grace) of Bethesda, MD and Anne Michele Kuhns, (spouse Paul) of Rehoboth Beach DE; and sons Thomas J. Lyons III and Russell Jordan Lyons of Virginia Beach. He was predeceased by parents, Thomas Joseph Lyons and Anna Elizabeth Ryan Lyons, and sister Mary Cecilia Lyons and all four of his Irish born grandparents that established the family in America.

Tom was born in Fairfield, CT in 1941. As a teen, he attended Canterbury School in New Milford, CT where his father designed several buildings on the campus. Tom followed in his father's footsteps with a lifelong love and passion for architecture. His undergraduate studies took him to Georgetown University where he graduated in 1963 with a degree in Philosophy. There he continued his love of sailing and achieved the position of Commodore of the school's sailing team. Tom greatly enjoyed a lifelong nautical interest in sailing, sportfishing and power boats.

As a senior in college, Tom started what would become one of the most famous performance venues in the world: The Cellar Door in Georgetown. He booked emerging artists that spanned every genre. Stevie Wonder, Linda Ronstadt and the Stone Poneys, who would later become the Eagles, Aretha Franklin, John Denver, Judy Collins, James Taylor, Richard Prior, Cher, Stan Getz, and Nina Simone among others that started their careers at The Cellar Door. Established major artists, such as Miles Davis, recorded live albums in the club. Tom's favorite live performers were Canadian folk duo Ian & Sylvia, who became personal friends.

Tom's career as founder of Coastal Hospitality Associates, formerly Tidewater Inn

Management and Tidewater Hotels & Resorts, began when he arrived in Virginia Beach in 1968 and purchased the modest,12-room Sandpiper Inn. He was the driving force of the City's oceanfront transformation from small family-owned motels to nationally branded, full amenity hotels.

Over four decades, Tom developed nearly 40 hotels across Virginia and North Carolina for top franchises such as Marriott, IHG, Starwood, Hilton, and Choice Hotels. In addition to bringing high-quality hospitality to the Virginia Beach and Outer Banks oceanfronts, Tom also developed hotels in Roanoke, Charlottesville, Richmond, Chesapeake's Greenbrier area, Carolina Beach and Wilmington, N.C., among others. With exceptional vision, he developed Edgewater Condominiums, the first residential oceanfront condominium in Virginia. One of Tom's favorite properties was the famous Peaks of Otter Lodge along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Tom's love and aptitude for architecture was evident in his properties, many of which won the topmost prestigious awards in the hospitality industry, including for New Hotel Construction and Design Worldwide. Tom's passion for the hospitality industry continued throughout his life. The company's current hotel portfolio includes his final development, of which Tom was especially proud, a Residence Inn in Virginia Beach Town Center.

In addition to his influential business footprint in the community, Tom was charitable and generous with his time, talents and resources. He co-chaired the Harrison Opera House project, overseeing the planning, design, and construction of the facility into a world-class venue.

Tom was dedicated to all aspects of education. He was on the Norfolk Academy Board of Trustees as Vice President of Buildings & Grounds for 17 years during which he was instrumental in planning and designing the transformation of the school's campus. He was a Trustee for the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges for a decade. From 2008-13 he served on the Board of his high school alma mater, Canterbury School, in New Milford, CT.

His love of architecture and detailed attention to construction and hospitality businesses made Tom a sought-after director for many organizations including the Norfolk Botanical Gardens, Virginia Rescue Squad, Virginia Marine Science Museum to name a few. He was appointed by the Governor and served on the Virginia Board of Tourism as well.

He was a member of the Princess Anne Country Club, the Cavalier Golf and Yacht Club and the Hatteras Marlin Club.

The family thanks Dr. Barbara Parks and her staff for their compassionate care. In addition, the family is deeply grateful for Hermoine, Pam, Jeanette, Earlene, Taylor and Armel, Tom's kind and devoted caregivers who enabled him to comfortably remain at home during his illness.

The family will receive friends at HD Oliver- Laskin Road in Virginia Beach, Wednesday, October 12th from 5-7 PM. The funeral celebration to honor his life will be at Galilee Episcopal Church, 40th and Pacific Avenue on Thursday, October 13th at 2 PM, followed by interment, and a reception. Please visit www.hdoliver.com to share a memory with the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Norfolk Academy, the Virginia Volunteer Rescue Squad, or a charity of your choice.