Joseph A. Lyons Jr.

Joseph (Joe) A. Lyons, Jr., 79, of Little Egg Harbor passed away on February 23, 2024. Joe was born in Irvington, NJ and spent time living in Newark and South Orange. He enjoyed reading from his extensive library, debating the philosophy of Catholicism and religion, and visiting Walt Disney World.

After graduating from Seton Hall University with his masters in Classical Languages, Joe enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Conflict and served as a Drill Sergeant. Later in life he joined the NJ Army National Guard and retired from the military as a First Sergeant. He was most proud of serving in New York during the aftermath of 9/11 then, after retirement, serving on the Honor Guard for military funerals.

Joe was a devout Catholic, at one point even studying to be a Franciscan Friar. An active member of the Knights of Columbus, he advanced to a 4th Degree Knight. He was a member for 53 years and served in various leadership capacities from past Grand Knight to former District Deputy.

He is survived by his daughter Grace Lyons and son-in-law Charles Budd, his brother Frank Lyons and sister-in-law Bernese plus 13 nieces and nephews and predeceased by his wife of 51 years Elaine (Marsh) Lyons, sister Ellen Marie and parents Agatha (Erhard) and Joseph Lyons, Sr.

Visitation will be held on Monday March 4, 2024 from 2-4pm and again from 7-9pm at Maxwell Funeral Home 160 Mathistown Road Little Egg Harbor, NJ. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday March 5, 2024 at 11am at St. Theresa Roman Catholic Church 450 Radio Road Little Egg Harbor, NJ. Entombment will follow at 2pm at Gate of Heaven Cemetery 225 Ridgedale Ave East Hanover, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donation be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation to benefit service members and first responders who need help. http://garysinisefoundation.org/donate