John Joseph Lyons

PORTSMOUTH – John Joseph Lyons, the husband of Edna McCullough Lyons and a retired U.S. Navy commander, died Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, after a period of declining health. He was 90.

Jack was born Oct. 28, 1931, in Passaic, N.J. He was the son of John P. Lyons and Ann McCorristin Lyons of Bridgeton, N.J.

He graduated in 1949 from Camden Catholic High School in Camden, N.J. He earned his bachelor's degree in 1953 from Mount St. Mary's College, now Mount St. Mary's University, in Emmitsburg, Md.

He and his wife-to-be, Teddy, were classmates at Camden Catholic and were married in 1957 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Camden. Their marriage of nearly 65 years was blessed with two sons, two daughters, and five grandchildren.

Jack's life was defined by his love for his family and by his service to his church and country.

He received his commission in the U.S. Navy in 1953 and served 22 years in the Navy Supply Corps, until his retirement in 1975.

Jack and Teddy promoted an adventurous life for their family during Jack's time in the Navy. The Lyonses were stationed in Washington, D.C.; Alameda, Calif.; San Diego; Charleston, S.C.; and Taipei, Taiwan, before they were transferred to Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Jack's final duty station, in 1970.

After his retirement from the Navy, Jack remained in Tidewater and served as the port manager for Prudential Lines, an ocean-going cargo carrier.

Jack, a lifelong Catholic active in church affairs at the parish and diocesan level, deeply embodied the call for renewal of the Second Vatican Council. The council's writings, along with the Gospels, provided the framework for his life of service as an adult.

He served on the parish council at Holy Angels Church in Portsmouth from 1972 to 1974, including a year as chairman; and on a central coordinating group of area parishes from 1972 to 1975, including a year as chairman.

He also served on the Portsmouth Catholic Schools Commission from 1976 to 1980, including a year as chairman; on the Diocesan Pastoral Council from 1976 to 1982, including a year as chairman; and as chairman of the Diocesan Committee on Parish Councils from 1979 to 1982.

In addition, Jack served on the Church of the Resurrection Parish Council from 1987 to 1990 and from 1996 to 1999; and on the Oasis Social Ministry Board of Directors from 1987 to 1992, including two years as chairman.

Jack was a Legion of Honor member of the Kiwanis clubs of Merrimac and Churchland. He was a past president and lieutenant governor with Kiwanis.

He was a charter member and past president of the Portsmouth chapter of the Military Officers Association.

Jack enjoyed gardening, reading, walking and anything involving his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Marie Lyons Kelly of Audubon, N.J.

In addition to his wife, Jack is survived by his sons, John P. Lyons (Anita) of Kill Devil Hills, N.C., and Timothy J. Lyons (Tenee) of Alexandria; and his daughters, Elaine M. Lyons of Portsmouth and Patricia A. Reilly (Peter) of Chesapeake.

He also is survived by five grandchildren, to whom he was devoted: Brynn Reilly of Austin, Texas; Alison Reilly Tisdel and Casey Reilly of Newport News; and Aidan Lyons and Evan Lyons of Alexandria.

A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated Saturday, Sept. 10, at 11 a.m. at the Church of the Resurrection, 3501 Cedar Lane in Portsmouth. The family will receive friends beginning at 10 a.m. at the church, and a reception will be held in the social hall immediately after Mass.

Burial will follow at a later date at Albert G. Horton Memorial Veterans Cemetery, 5310 Milners Road in Suffolk.

In lieu of flowers, Jack requested that memorial donations be made to Oasis Social Ministry, 800A Williamsburg Ave., Portsmouth, VA 23704.

Condolences may be registered at BWFosterFuneralHome.com.