David Brainard Lyman (“Dave”), 89, passed away peacefully on January 9, 2017 at his home in the arms of his wife and soulmate of 25 years, Lisa Mongue.
Dave was the last of three children born to Paul Edward and Marion (Hawthorne) Lyman, born in Pelham, MA on November 8, 1927. His parents moved from Amherst to Greenfield, MA during his early childhood. He is predeceased by his parents, as well as his brother Dwight Lyman and sister Rachel Pierson.
As a young lad, David was so anxious to join the U.S. Navy and serve his country during World War II that he missed his high school graduation and his parents had to pick up his high school diploma. He was assigned to the USS Pocono (AGC-16), an Adirondack class amphibious force flag ship of the Atlantic Fleet.
After his discharge from the Navy in 1946, Dave landed at the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club in Centre Island, NY for a short period, and drove the yacht tender Resolute. Many decades later, Dave was thrilled to see the Resolute being restored at the Mystic Seaport and provided some of his original pictures of him at the helm of the Resolute to the Seaport for reference. David was given the opportunity to stand at the helm of the Resolute once again during a visit to the Seaport in October 1994.
Dave returned to Greenfield MA after working at the Yacht Club. In October 1952 he became a permanent firefighter and began a 30-year career in the Greenfield Fire Department. He had previously been a military substitute in the department. In 1970 he was promoted to Deputy Fire Chief and Superintendent of Fire Alarms, and at the time of his retirement from the department in October 1982, he was the last to hold the dual roles. He was an active member of the Y's Men's Club at the Greenfield YMCA, as well as the Second Congregational Church.
Dave fulfilled his dream of owning and living onboard a sailboat on the New England coast for many years prior to meeting his wife Lisa Mongue. From practically the moment they met, they were inseparable. Dave and Lisa spent the next 25 years travelling as often as they could to many of their favorite places in the Eastern US, making many special memories. They continued to enjoy boating until Dave’s health started to decline in 2007. Even in his failing health over the past 10 years, Dave was enthusiastic to travel, and had planned on celebrating his 89th birthday at Disney World in Florida.
Dave is survived by his three daughters from a previous marriage: Marilou (Scott) Streeter of Greenfield MA, Marilyn (Kelly) McCann of Stafford VA, and Linda (Michael) Chudzik of Gill MA. In addition, he is survived by two grandchildren, Jennifer and Evan Kelly McCann, as well as several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by mother-in-law Lelia Beals and sister-in-law Doris Mongue, both of Dalton, MA and brother-in-law and wife Robert and Denise Mongue of Oxford, Mississippi.
Words cannot express the depth of gratitude to all of those at Hospice of SE CT, for their care and compassion in attending to Dave, and for making it possible for him to spend his final days in the home he loved so much.
Heartfelt appreciation goes to the Montville CT Fire Department for their professionalism and care of Dave during several ambulance runs to the ER and requests for lift-assists.
Lisa has always been amazed at and will be eternally grateful to the Greenfield Fire Department for the camaraderie and respect shown to David throughout his retirement years.
The family is respecting Dave’s wishes to “keep it simple”. There are no calling hours or funeral services. A Celebration of Life for family and friends, including military honors and recognition by the Greenfield Fire Department, will be held on the afternoon of Saturday February 25, 2017 at the Terrazza Ristorante at Country Club of Greenfield (MA). The celebration program will begin at 1:30pm followed by a buffet luncheon.
Please consider making a contribution to honor Dave’s memory to either the Greenfield Fire Department Gift Fund, 412 Main Street, Greenfield, MA 01301, or to Hospice of SE CT, 227 Dunham Street, Norwich CT 06360, hospicesect.org.
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