J. David Lyons

J. David Lyons passed away peacefully, with Georgine, his wife of 62 years and love of his life, by his side, on October 11, 2023 in Fort Myers, Florida. Dave was always the optimist, a fierce competitor, kind soul, thoughtful and a true gentleman. He lived life with an intense focus on family, especially his grandchildren, a strong commitment to his faith and the Catholic Church, a zest for celebrations and finding joy in the small things of everyday life, and always willing to spend time with a friend on the golf course, traveling, at a sporting event, party or the local coffee shop. Dave was born to Donald and Sylvia Lyons on September 11, 1938 in Rochester, New York. He attended high school at St. Thomas Aquinas Institute graduating in 1956, attended St. John Fisher University in Rochester, New York graduating in 1960 with a BA in Economics. He met lifelong friends there and excelled at basketball while in college, including being named Athlete of the Year in 1960. Following college, he enlisted in the Army serving active duty for 6 months and then 5 1/2 years in the Army Reserves, completing his honorable discharge in 1966. He was predeceased by his brother, Michael Lyons. Dave married Georgine Cullen on August 5, 1961 and built a wonderful life together raising four children, Patrick (Susan), Mark (Mary Jane), Ellen (Danny James) and Kelly (Toby Regal). Dave was predeceased by his daughter, Ellen, who passed away in 2009 from ALS. Dave had nine grandchildren (Luke Lyons, Rosalie James McMahon (Matt McMahon), Connor Lyons, Meghan Lyons, Matthew James, Kienan Lyons, Dylan James, Cain Regal and Finn Regal) who he cherished and would take road trips with Georgine to visit at college campuses and high school and college sporting events, as well as most recently celebrating one of his grandchildren’s wedding where he and Georgine never left the dance floor and showed the crowd the greatest example of a happy marriage which has lasted 62 years. He was a great role model for his grandchildren and always made sure they knew family and being kind are the most important priorities in life. Over the years they lived in Rochester, Buffalo and Chappaqua, New York; Sherborn, Massachusetts; Atlanta, Georgia; summers in Long Lake, NY and Nantucket, Massachusetts, and finally settling in Fort Myers, Florida where they made lasting friendships in each location, were active members of their local Catholic Churches, including serving in leadership roles on the parish councils, enthusiastic members of each schools booster programs supporting their children’s sports activities, and held memberships at Shadow Wood Country Club, Country Club of the South, Mt. Kisco Country Club and Tupper Lake Country Club, where he played many rounds of golf laughing and making memories with family and friends. Their years of summers in Long Lake, NY were some of their most cherished memories with their kids and grandchildren including early morning skis, hiking Owls Head mountain, long boat rides, sailing, cocktail parties and late night bonfires at the lean-to. Anywhere Dave traveled across the globe, he ran into personal and professional friends who admired and respected him for his integrity, loyalty and engaging personality. Dave’s career started at Burroughs Wellcome Pharmaceutical Company in 1961, then he was recruited to join IBM in 1966 and worked in various roles of increased responsibility for 15 years until he joined Data General Corporation in 1981 as Vice President North American Sales followed by Vice President of Europe and Asia where he and Georgine split their time living between Paris and Sherborn, MA. After 12 years, he joined National Data Corporation in 1993 as Senior Vice President of Sales and finally moved into Executive Search as President of Aubin International in 1996, and then the Carter Group until he retired in 2004. He held a Corporate Director role on the Board of Directors for CSRO from 1996-2013. He also dedicated his time to the community and was active in leading volunteer work including serving on the board of AFCAAM serving underprivileged youth in the southwest Florida area and served as Chairman of the Board for Freedom and Virtue Institute from 2005-2013. Beyond his professional success, what will be remembered most are the people he met throughout his impactful career and the friendships and bonds he built with those who worked with him. After retiring, it was easy for Dave to settle into life in Fort Myers, Florida where he loved the sunshine, playing golf, socializing with friends, riding his bike, exercising, driving his convertible Camaro, traveling with Georgine and friends and you’d often see him in his season ticket seats supporting the FGCU basketball games, his new hometown adopted team. He was an avid sports fan following the Yankees, the NY Giants, the Celtics, and the Atlanta Braves but the greatest sports related memories are of him with his camera on the sidelines at the sporting events for his own children and grandchildren. The family will be celebrating Dave’s life with a Catholic Mass at Our Lady of Light Catholic Church, 19680 Cypress View Drive, Ft. Myers, FL on Saturday, October 21 at 11:00am, immediately followed by a reception for his friends and family at Shadow Wood Country Club, 22801 Oakwilde Blvd, Estero, FL. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Shadow Wood Charitable Foundation serving the needs of veterans and to improve the lives of southwest Florida residents. Arrangements are being handled by Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home, Family Owned Since 1978.

J. David Lyons

September 11, 1938 - October 11, 2023