Charles Lyons, 92, Was the First Principal of Lyncrest School; Funeral in Fair Lawn on Saturday Morning

Charles Francis Lyons–the first principal of  in Fair Lawn–died peacefully in his sleep at his daughter's home in Piermont, NH, on Nov. 3 after a long, healthy and happy life. He was 92.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at , 13-31 Saddle River Road in Fair Lawn. A funeral service is planned for Saturday, 10 a.m. at Vander Plaat with interment following at Cedar Lawn Cemetery in Paterson. 

Lyons was born in Paterson on Aug. 21, 1918 to the late Thomas and Alice (Quigley) Lyons. He graduated from St. Joseph's elementary and high school in Paterson and received his B.A. in education from Paterson State College. Lyons completed his Master's Degree at Montclair State College and did doctoral studies at Columbia University in New York City. On Feb. 21, 1944, Lyons married the love of his life, Elsie Samuelsen.

All the way until his retirement, Lyons served as the principal of Lyncrest School. He was held in high esteem and one of his fondest memories was of the resistance put up by the parents and students when the Fair Lawn Board of Education tried to transfer him to another school in May of 1975. They marched a mile from the school to the board offices carrying placards emboldened with regal lions and reading "Leave the Lyons where he belongs." Another tribute Lyons received was from the Fair Lawn Teachers Association, which granted him the first (and it turned out, only) Good Guy award.

Before his long and illustrious career in education, Lyons served his country for seven years during World War II in the U.S. Army. He reached the rank of first lieutenant, and was recalled as a reservist and served on the front lines in Korea.  Among other distinctions, he was awarded a commendation and medal for meritorious service.

Throughout his life, Lyons served the public. He was president of the Fair Lawn Community Blood Bank; an officer in the Bergen County Civil Defense; active member and president of the Fair Lawn Kiwanis Club; and later in life served as an officer in the Friday Social Club. He and Elsie spent most of their married life in Fair Lawn.

Lyons was predeceased by his wife Elsie in January of this year. He is survived by his sister, Veronica Ressler of Rehoboth, Massachusetts, his three children and their spouses, Joyce and George Tompkins of Piermont, NH; Tom and Soraya Lyons of Suffern, N.Y.; and Joan and Hal Galbraith of Knoxville, Tenn.  He also leaves four grandchildren, Leigh Tompkins Siegel and her husband Mike of Green, NJ; Nicholas and Jeremy Galbraith of Knoxville; and Natalie Galbraith of Chicago, Ill. Lyons also leaves two well-loved great-grandsons, Joshua and Matthew Siegel, as well as caring nieces and nephews.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at , Inc., 13-31 Saddle River Road, Fair Lawn. Vander Plaat can be reach at 201-797-3500. A funeral service is planned for Saturday, 10 a.m. at the funeral home with interment following at Cedar Lawn Cemetery in Paterson. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Lyons may be made to an organization of your choice or to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation at P.O. Box 3387, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. For more information on the funeral, Vander Plaat can be reached at 201-797-3500.