Obituary of Robert Joseph Lyon

Robert Joseph Lyon, 93, of Basking Ridge died early March 11 after a brief illness. Originally from Hillsdale, Mr. Lyon resided on Canter Drive for 40 years and was a daily communicant at St James RC Church and a member of the 1st Marine Division Association and the Teamsters. A Purple Heart recipient, he had fought during WWII with the 3rd Battery, 11th Marines at Guadalcanal, Cape Gloucester, Guam, and Peleliu, where he was hit. After recuperating in Australia he enjoyed a brief home leave before embarking with the invasion force bound for the Japanese home islands. A 53-year career in trucking and warehousing resumed following the war as he joined and eventually took over his uncle's business, PJ Flynn, later part of Whittaker, Clarke, and Daniels. Rob, or Pop to many, later revisited some of his duty locations with the Association, and remained active in it until very recently. Mr. Lyon is survived by his three children: Thomas P. Lyons III of Bowling Green, Kentucky; Wendy L. Haas of Norcross, Georgia; and Patricia L. Lafean, also of Basking Ridge; four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. He follows in death by some two years his sister Irene L. Kugelman of Merritt Island, Florida, many of whose descendants are expected this week. A liturgy of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday March 16, 2011 at 1 PM at the St James RC Church, 184 S. Finley Ave, Basking Ridge. Interment will be conducted privately at Somerset Hills Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to visit Gallaway & Crane Funeral Home 101 S. Finley Ave, Basking Ridge on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 from 2 - 4 & 6 - 8 PM. The family invites those wishing to make memorial gifts to consider: Saint James R.C. Church, the American Heart Association, Toys for Tots, and Hospice of the Visiting Nurses' Association of the Somerset Hills.