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Alfred F. Lyng Veteran
January 30, 2018

Obituary

Lyng, Alfred F. of Wellesley, MA, January 30, 2018, at the age of 92. Devoted son of the late Grace F. and Leon P. Lyng. Born in Watertown, NY, on June 17, 1925, and was loving husband of Pauline (Polly) Gorman Lyng for the past 14 years. Preceded in death by his first wife, Eleanor LaRock Lyng of Ogdensburg, NY, after celebrating 55 years of marriage. Also preceded in death by his sister, Beverly Lyng Daley and brother James F. Lyng. His college career at Clarkson College (Potsdam, NY) was interrupted to serve in the U.S. Navy during WW II, returning to Clarkson to graduate in 1948. Began his 40-year civil engineering career at the New York State DPW, where he undertook design and construction responsibilities for a major portion of Interstate 81 through northern New York. In 1965, he accepted the position as Vice President of Erdman Anthony Associates in Camp Hill, PA, leading the firm’s expansion and delivery of millions of dollars in major new infrastructure across the Commonwealth.

In 1979, Mr. Lyng was appointed District Engineer for District 8, (Harrisburg, PA) where he gained great praise for his management style and results. In 1984, he was appointed Deputy Secretary of Transportation and Chief Engineer and later, as Deputy Secretary of General Services for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania where he served with distinction until his retirement in 1987.

A devout lifelong Catholic, Alfred gave freely of his time and talents, from designing a new church parking lot to serving as lector nearly every Sunday for over 2 decades at parishes in New York and Pennsylvania.  In Wellesley, he was an active member of St. Paul’s Church.

An avid bridge player and golfer, Al also taught his family the joy of snow skiing, sledding and ice skating. Al’s devotion to family led them to wonderful vacations in the Adirondack Mountains, to water skiing on Lake Ontario. Over their many years of marriage, Al and Eleanor were very active with their bridge club, school, and were well known for their ability to entertain their many friends at weekend gatherings.

Al loved to teach others to play bridge over his lifetime and in recent years taught at their cottage in Sackets Harbor and the winters in Marco Island.  During his 30-year retirement, he spent many winters in Florida, first with Eleanor and later with his wife Polly, his brother Jim and wife, Gigi and many loving friends.

He is survived by his wife, Polly, 6 children, John Lyng (Barbara) Hornell, NY, Timothy Lyng (Maria) of Washington, DC, Teresa Lyng Velez (Brandee) Babylon, NY, Gerard Lyng (Patricia) McCleary, WA, Judith Lyng Kempf (James) Camp Hill, PA, Maureen Lyng Plummer (Mechanicsburg, PA), three step-chlidren Karen Bostwick, Wellesley, MA, James Gorman (Annette) Wellesley, MA, and Charles Gorman (Elizabeth) Natick, MA, and 14 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, 5 step-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly.

Funeral from the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington St. (Rt.16) Wellesley, on Friday, February 2, at 10:30am followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Paul Church, Wellesley at 11:30am. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Visiting hours on Thursday, February 1, from 4-9pm. Interment will be held on Saturday, February 3, at 1pm in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 1313 York St. Mechanicsburg, PA. Expressions of sympathy may include flowers sent to Doherty Funeral Home or a donation in Alfred’s name to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.

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George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Homes
477 Washington Street
Wellesley, MA 02482
781-235-4100