Charles H. Lyons of Methuen, formally of Arlington, passed away surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with Glioblastoma. Beloved husband of Leanne (Marciano) Lyons. Loving father of Christine Lyons of Londonderry, NH, Lisa (Lyons) Tully and her husband Ryan of Beverly, and Michael Lyons and his wife Jennifer of Medford. Stepfather of Amanda Tremlett of California and Ray Tremlett of California.
Devoted Brother of Peggy Mulcahy and her husband Ed of Burlington, twin brother of Jack Lyons and his wife Nancy of Hudson, NH, Tom Lyons and his wife Maureen of Burlington, Mary Lyons of Arlington, Patty Mazure and her husband Greg of Boston and the late William “Bill” Lyons. Brother-in-law to Jean Lyons of Burlington. Cherished ‘Grandpa’ to Emily, Jack, Nolan, Caroline, and Norah. Former husband of the late Robin Noyes Lyons. Survived by his uncle Connie Lyons and loved by many nieces, nephews, cousins, colleagues, and friends. Devoted son of the late William and Helen Lyons of Arlington.
Elected to the Arlington School Committee as a young man in March of 1972, he was the first 18-year-old in the country elected to a town or city position. During that time, he was the recipient of the Ten Outstanding Young Leaders Award – Boston Chamber. Charlie went on to serve the citizens of Arlington, a community he loved, as Selectman for 24 years until 2005. In 2004, he had the honor of serving as President of the National League of Cities, becoming the first Selectman to hold this post in the 80-year history of the NLC.
As the Superintendent Emeritus of Shawsheen Valley Technical High School in Billerica from 1987 – 2015, Charlie dedicated himself to advancing vocational education in the state of Massachusetts. He served as President of the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators (MAVA) in 1996 and Board of Directors since 1988. He was an active member of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (MASS), representing MASS on the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA).
Graduating from Arlington Catholic in 1971, Charlie was inducted to the inaugural Arlington Catholic High School Hall of Fame in 1996. He also proudly served as a member of the Board of Directors Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA), Corporator of Cambridge Savings Bank, and 50-year member of the Knights of Columbus. Charlie loved spending time with family, friends, golfing, traveling, and the Red Sox.
Visiting hours will be held in St. Agnes Church, 30 Medford St. Arlington on Monday, October 2, from 4 to 7 pm. Funeral mass in St. Agnes Church on Tuesday at 10am. Interment to follow in St. Paul’s Cemetery in Arlington. In lieu of flowers, Charlie requested that donations in his memory be sent to Fidelity House, 25 Medford St. Arlington, MA 02474.
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