Obituary of Martin Lyons

MARTIN J. LYONS On January 8, 2011, at the age of 95, Martin James Lyons peacefully passed away at Lions Manor, Personal Care Unit. Martin is survived by his three sons John (Janet Taylor), Martin (Helen), Kevin (Sherry), daughter Rosemary, grandchildren Leila (Stephen) Stoutenburg, Erik (Lacey) Uunila, and Krista Uunila, and great grandchildren Davin and Maliya Stoutenburg and Zion Uunila. Martin is also survived by his brother Phil (Veda), sisters Peggy O'Connor, Jessie Lyons, sisters-in-law Margaret (nee Close) Lyons, Teresa (Norman) MacDonald, and many nieces and nephews on both sides of his extended family. Martin was predeceased by his loving wife Mary "Rose" Lyons (nee McGavock), his father Jim and mother Molly, his brother Jim and sister Nora Jackman, brothers-in-law Frank McGavock, John McGavock, Vincent McGavock, Alex McGavock, Frank O'Connor, and Don Jackman. Martin was the eldest child of Jim and Molly Lyons, born on June 4, 1915, in Winnipeg. One year, 1919, was spent visiting family in Ireland where he entered his first year of primary education at Mulnahome, Ireland. Upon the family's return to Canada he attended St. Edward's Parochial School before the family moved to Stony Mountain for 3 years. When the family returned to Winnipeg, Martin's remaining school years were at St. Edward's and St. Paul's. In 1934 he began his engineering career at the John Wood Mfg. Co. Martin joined the RCAF in 1940 and served as Master Mechanic, Flight Sergeant at Gander, Newfoundland until 1945. In 1944 Martin and Rose were married and after a brief honeymoon at Niagara Falls, Martin returned to Gander until 1945. After the war, he returned to John Wood Mfg. Co. until 1957 at which time he joined Dominion Bridge Company as Plant Engineer (Winnipeg Branch (1957-1964), Vancouver Branch (1964-1973), Montreal Branch (1973-76), and as Corporate acting VP of Manufacturing (Ottawa 1976-1980) until his retirement. He acted as a consultant until 1985. Along with his long career in engineering, Martin served his community in many other areas; as President of the Winnipeg Branch of the Canadian Institute of Management, a Building Committee member at St. Edward's Convent and at St. John Brebeuf, and as a St. Paul's Alumni. After his retirement, he was Coordinator and Eucharist Minister for 14 years with St. Alphonsus Parish. He and Rose also enjoyed many years as volunteers at Oak Hammock Marsh, making perogies monthly for St. Alphonsus School, and volunteering for the Crohn's and Colitis Organization. Many of his retirement hours were spent in front of his easel creating over 90 paintings that now grace every family member's homes. He also enjoyed golf, bridge and cribbage. His family gratefully acknowledges the excellent and compassionate care Martin received from the staff at Lions Manor. In lieu of flowers, family and friends are invited to make a donation in Martin's memory to Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, PO Box 20009, 3310 Portage Ave. Winnipeg, MB R3K 2E5 or to a charity of their choice. A celebration of Martin's life will be held on Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Alphonsus Roman Catholic Church, 341 Munroe Ave. Winnipeg, Manitoba. Inurnment to follow at a later date. Cropo Funeral Chapel 1442 Main Street 586-8044