Long time Wallingford resident and neighborhood advocate Vince Lyons died on October 29th at the age of 72 from cancer. Obituaries can be found in the Seattle Times and the Daily Journal of Commerce.
Vince worked as an urban planner for 40 years. He was manager of the Design Review program for the Seattle Department of Construction and Land Use (DCLU), now the Department of Planning and Development (DPD), for 29 years.
Vince was an active member of the Wallingford Community Council and served as its President in 1988 and 1989. He was instrumental in turning Interlake School into Wallingford Center, and he provided the guiding vision for the Wallingford Steps pathway to Gas Works Park.
The memorial service is from 2:00 to 4:00 PM on Saturday November 14 at Wallingford United Methodist Church, 2115 N 42nd Street. Here are details from Greg Lyons, Vince’s son:
Hello All,
Greg here (Vince’s son)- writing from Vince’s account to ensure you know about his memorial service. It will be held a week from today, Saturday 11/14, 2pm-4pm at the Wallingford United Methodist Church. After the service we’ll have some food, coffee and soft drinks. Perhaps mosey to Murphy’s Pub on 45th Street after for whoever would like to do so.
Hope you can join us, please RSVP by reply e-mail [[email protected]]. If you know someone else you want to forward to that should see this, please do so – I’ve surely missed MANY dear friends who’s e-mails weren’t saved in Dad’s g-mail contact list.
Feel free to bring a photo or item that reminds you of Vince to display on tales we’ll have set up – you can retrieve when you go.
Thank you,
Greg
I’m sorry for the loss to the community and Vince’s family. I remember a few nice conversations with him (years ago at the Wallingford Home Tour and at a recent Design Review meeting) and always enjoyed seeing him walking around the neighborhood. My best to his family.
Wallingford (and Seattle) would be a much different place without Vince’s vision, expertise and dedication to making our neighborhood a great place to live and work. He cannot be replaced.
Vince was my daily Metro bus-buddy “comic relief” for about 20 years. We rode pretty much the same route throughout my tenure at numerous jobs around the city. He often lent me his Cleveland Funny Times to peruse; and would sometimes read bits to me if they were particularly witty. He’d often reminisce about his Ohio past, which I appreciated because he always had some juicy stories. We’d also discuss our mutual fondness for Washington’s Okanogan, where Vince loved to spend his leisure time. Even after Vince retired, I remember seeing him on my way to work—same bus in the morning—on his way downtown—cracking wiseass jokes just to make me smile.
I’m raising a sky-high toast to you now, Vince. Thanks for the daily cheer only you could provide.
I just saw this post now. So sorry to have missed the service and trip to Murphy’s to help celebrate Vince’s life and service to the City and invaluable contributions to the Wallingford community. Vince helped me out several times with his advice, insights, and good humor during several school and park projects over the last 25 years. Thank you, Vince. Peace.
How do we contribute to Vince’s Wallingford Steps Bench Fund?
Jack
I played soccer with Vince’s younger brother Terry as founding members of the original Murphy’s Law men’s team, back when owner Chris Barnes was tending bar and our goalie Dan Cowan was one of his relief bartenders. Vince was one of the bravest, kindest, most brilliant and hilarious men it has been my privilege to know in my life. He fought and beat lung cancer in the mid-to-late 1980s by unwaveringly carrying on his normal routine while suffering from the aggressive treatments for and adverse effects of that disease. His community work in Wallingford is just one facet of his noteworthy life.
Rest in Peace, Vince. Your legacy is writ large in Seattle history, and your memory shall never die.
“Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once.”
William Shakespeare
JP, I just spoke to Terry and mentioned your comment. Sending him the link to your comment.
Here is his email:
[email protected]
Thank you, Greg. I was alerted to Vince’s passing by my good friend, gregf (comment above). My heart goes out to Sue Ellen, Andy, Scott, yourself, and all of the Lyons family. I was unable to attend the memorial. Vince’s easy laugh and kind manner will be with me always. I will email T-man and catch up. May God bless all of you.
JP, I just spoke to Terry and mentioned your comment. Sending him the link to your comment.
Here is his email:
[email protected]