HTMC Member Mike Lyons Obituary

HTMC Member Mike Lyons “Boston Mike” passed away in May. Although Mike was a resident of Massachusetts, he visited Oahu annually joining HTMC in 2010 and often joined the trail clearers on Sundays. In 2017 Mike participated in the ATC Safari in New Zealand with HTMC. His sister Patricia reached out to HTMC to share Mike’s obituary (below). If anyone would like to share photos or stories of Boston Mike with his family, reach out via email to dakinekokua@htmc1910.org. Mike was a kind soul and will be missed.

It is with deep sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of our brother, Mike Lyons, on May 5, 2024. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends in Massachusetts and Hawaii. Michael J. Lyons was born on March 19, 1953 in Boston, MA. Son of the late William V. Lyons and A. Stella Lyons (Pothier). Michael is survived by his brother William F. Lyons (Sharon), his sister Patricia Garrow (Bruce), nephews Matthew Lyons, Michael and Thomas Garrow, grandnephews, and all those who grew up knowing him as their “Uncle Mike” Mike was strong and independent.

He relied on his strength of character and self-sufficiency to live and thrive. At the age of 21, he built his first home, a ski chalet in Bartlett, NH. He went on to build other custom homes. He had his own paving and landscaping company for many years and operated heavy equipment for site preparation for his friends’ businesses.

A man of many interests, Mike was a pilot, sailor, scuba diver, skier and opera buff. He enjoyed hiking, kayaking, cycling, white water rafting, and canoeing. Over the years, he organized many “adventures” with his friends to the Rockies, Europe and Canada. The adventures all had common themes – camaraderie, good food and wine, and of course chocolate! Mike travelled everywhere and he travelled often, visiting Europe, Japan, South East Asia, New Zealand and the Caribbean.

France and Spain were among his favorite destinations. In memory of his much-loved nephew Sean, Mike cycled over the Pyrenees and along the Camino de Santiago. Mike will be remembered for his extraordinary generosity, his willingness to help others, friends and strangers alike, and his spirit of volunteerism. He was a stand up guy in the truest sense of the words, and in his passing we wish him eternal rest.

A celebration of Mike’s life will be held in the near future, details to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to The Michael J. Fox Foundation, dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease and to ensuring the development of improved therapies for those living with Parkinson’s today.