John Lyon served in the Stevens Institute of Technology Athletic and Physical Education department for 36 years (1963 through 1998). From 1963 to 1982, he was the men's basketball coach and continued his coaching, in squash rackets, from 1985 to 1990. In 1966, he also became the first sports information director at Stevens, a position he held until his retirement. He not only established the foundation for the athletic media relations program, but also was active with a number of conferences, leagues and writers' and coaches' associations. He was inducted into the Stevens Athletics Hall of Fame in 2002.
Information courtesy of Stevens Institute of Technology.
John S. Lyon, 81, passed away April 10th, 2017. He is survived by his son, Edward Lyon, sister, Eve Lyon, nephew, Alex Ford (Lise Ford), niece, Kate Ford (Aileen McHugh), grand nephews, Sebastian and Oliver and grand niece, Isabela. His parents, George and Eva Lyon, his sister, Sally Lyon Ford and brother-in-law, Oliver Ford, preceded him in death.
John was born March 8th, 1936, in Buffalo, NY to George and Eva Lyon. He graduated with a B.S. from Springfield College in 1958. He served in the United States Army in Panama, and was Honorably Discharged in 1965. He went on to earn a Masters of Arts from Columbia University in 1969.
John worked for the Athletic and Physical Education department at Stevens Institute of Technology for 36 years, retiring in 1998. He served as the men’s basketball coach from 1963 to 1982, and continued his coaching, in squash racquets, from 1985 to 1990. In 1966, he became the first Sports Information Director at Stevens, a position he held until his retirement in 1998. He not only established the foundation for the program, but also was extremely active off campus with a number of conferences, leagues, writers’ and coaches’ associations. He was inducted into Stevens Athletics Hall of Fame in 2002.
In his later life, he joined the Board of the Hollis Park Gardens Association. He took responsibility for community upkeep on his daily walks. Never asking for acknowledgement, he kept watch over his beloved neighborhood. He was an important resource for members of his own District 12 as well as District 8 Community Board.
He was an avid sports fan, devoted brother and father and especially enjoyed his annual summer trips to Cape May, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Stevens Athletics Fund at Stevens Institute of Technology. (By mail: Office of Development, Stevens Institute of Technology, 1 Castle Point Terrace, Hoboken NJ 07030). Online: https://connect.stevens.edu/makeagift/athletics. Please note in the check memo or online form comments that your gift is in memory of John Lyon.
Friends and colleagues are invited to join John’s family on Saturday May 20th, 2017 as we inter his ashes at 12 pm. Pinelawn Cemetery, 2030 Wellwood Avenue, Farmingdale, NY. Please gather at the main office. A memorial gathering and luncheon will follow immediately after at Verona Ristorante at 1255 Melville Rd, Farmingdale, NY.