Obituary of Richard J. Lyons

Richard J. "Doc" Lyons April 29, 2011 Richard J. "Doc" Lyons, 71, of Syracuse passed away April 29, 2011 at Iroquois Nursing Home following a long battle with lung disease. He was born in Ann Arbor, MI January 30, 1940 the son of Dr. Richard H. and Elizabeth (Kane) Lyons. The family moved to Manlius, NY when Dick was a young boy. He attended high school at the Berkshire School in Sheffield, MA and graduated from Syracuse University in 1963 with a B.A. and 1966 with a LL.B. from the College of Law. Dick is a former Chief Assistant District Attorney for Onondaga County. He served with the Office of the District Attorney from 1971 through 1998 and for many years was Chief of the City Court Bureau of that office, overseeing all criminal prosecutions in the City of Syracuse Courts. Dick also served as Chief of the Local Criminal Courts Bureau overseeing matters in the Town and Village Courts within the county. During his tenure with the District Attorney, he was instrumental in the creation of the Onondaga County Fire and Arson Investigation Task Force and the Onondaga County Victim Witness Assistance Program. Each of these programs were recognized on a state and national basis for their excellence. Dick was an instructor for the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, the New York State Fire Academy, the Syracuse Police Department, the Onondaga County Sheriffs Department, and numerous Town and Village Police Departments as well as a lecturer at the Syracuse University College of Law. Throughout his years at the DA's office he was always known for his sense of humor, love for teaching, and an amazing ability to find any needed information in the great pile on his desk. In 1969 he married Elizabeth "Gail" Rupert; they had three children and spent their summers at the family cottage in the Thousand Islands. Dick loved being with his family and their basset hounds at the river, and stayed busy restoring classic antique wood boats, reading, traveling, and photography. His second job was that of "harp mover" for Gail. Survivors: his wife of 41 years, Gail Lyons, and his children, Elizabeth L. (Greg) Jones of Seattle, WA, Carolyn A. Catalano of Clay, NY, and John R. (Rachel) Lyons of Truckee, CA; sister, Elizabeth L. Griswold of Fayetteville, NY; grandchildren, George R. and Connor J. Catalano, K. Aislinn and Kane O. Jones. Dick was preceded in death by his brother Chalmers J. Lyons. Memorial Service: 1:00 p.m. Saturday July 23, 2011 at the Church of St. Michael and St. Peter, 4782 W Seneca Turnpike., Syracuse. In accordance with Dick's wish to enhance the education of future medical professionals, he donated his body to SUNY Upstate Medical University. Contributions in Dick's memory may be made to The Antique and Classic Boat Society, 422 James Street, Clayton, NY 13624 or a charity of one's choice.