Don Lyons was born in Vilna, AB, in 1935. The "Long Goodbye" ended peacefully on November 5th, 2013.

He is survived by his wife Joan, sons Ron (Barb) of Edson, AB, Ken (Kim) of Burnaby, BC, Ian (Jane) of Kamloops BC, and five wonderful grandchildren who gave him great joy, Kale (Jana), Tory (Madison), Sean (Jenna), Kristina and Katey, and sister Dorothy Benson of Hinton, AB.

Don's working career started as a surveyor on the Trans-Canada Highway. Married life required a more "permanent" home, so he was fortunate to be hired by the City of Kamloops, where he worked until his retirement in a variety of interesting and fulfilling jobs before retiring in 1990. A memorable retirement party arranged by fellow employees and a family celebration commemorating the event were fond memories of his.

Family and home were very important to him. Rotary, backpacking with our special group, skiing (water & snow), travelling to many interesting places, and the Cabin at Shuswap Lake all gave Don a happy and fulfilling life; his cheerful whistle and laugh will be missed by many.

Retirement was elusive, his first winter was spent in Panorama operating a ski lift, a family joke about a "stress free" job was achieved. He was definitely the oldest "liftee" and, ultimately, became "Employee of the Year"! Employment with a local Engineering Firm also provided many interesting experiences in the following years.

Unfortunately, dementia came to slowly rob him of his previously fulfilling life. Unlike Pierre Trudeau, who was able to choose not to treat his prostate cancer and die from it rather than dementia, Don did not have that choice as he was an exceptionally healthy person whose only ailment was dementia. When he first became aware of his condition, the Death With Dignity bill was slowly making its way through parliament. He hoped this could be the answer for him but, as we know, this bill was defeated and the issue is still unresolved. We sincerely hope that the touching video made by Donald Low may once again bring this issue before parliament. Having watched his mother die from dementia he had no desire to follow the same path, but spent three years at the Kamloops Senior's Village receiving excellent care. Thank you everyone, your support and compassion were much appreciated. He so wanted that the money that would be spent to keep him in care, be spent in a more positive fashion, for research to find a cure for all types of neurological type diseases.

There will be no service for Don, but if you would like to share a particular memory, the family would be pleased to hear from you. Please email any stories, memories or otherwise to memoriesofdonlyons@gmail.com

A special fund has been set up for Don at UBC. Donations, cheques please, for brain research may be made out to: UBC Faculty of Medicine - BRC (Brain Research Centre) and mailed to: Alzheimer Research Fund, Brain Research Centre, c/o Fatima Hassam, UBC Faculty of Medicine, 317-2194 Health Science Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T1Z3.

Arrangements entrusted to
Kamloops Funeral Home
250-554-2577
Condolences may be emailed
to the family from
www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com