John H. Lyman, 76, of Waterman Lake Drive, Harmony, passed away on Sunday, February 13th, at the VA Medical Center in Providence, RI. He was married for 52 years to Sharon R. (Berube) Lyman. He is predeceased by his parents, Robert E. Lyman and Nell C. (Wiegner) Lyman, and his three sisters, MaryEllen Stephens, Martha Lyman, and Judith Brown. Besides his wife, he leaves son Zachary and his wife Beth, daughter Alexis, two grandchildren, Gavin and Khai, numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great nieces, and great-great-nephews.
John was born and raised in Ottumwa, Iowa. After graduating from Walsh High School in 1964, he attended St. Ambrose College until he was drafted into the Army during the Viet Nam War. He was stationed in Pleiku. He achieved the rank of Sergeant as an Operating Room Specialist. His Army training enabled him to have a lifelong career as a Respiratory Therapist, retiring in 2012 from the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Providence, R.I. after working there for 27 years.
He lived a life of public service. In the 1970s, he was the Parks and Recreation Director for the Town of Glocester and coached Little League. In the early 1980s, he was a basketball coach for the Glocester Recreation League. In 1985, he was a founder of the Girls Soccer Team at Ponaganset High School. In the later 1980s and early 1990s, he was a member and Chair of the Glocester School Committee and the Foster-Glocester Regional School Committee.
In 1971, John joined the Harmony Fire Department. During his tenure with the HFD he achieved the position of Rescue Captain. After years of dedicated service he was rewarded with a Lifetime Membership.
In addition to his role with the Harmony Fire Department, he served in the Rhode Island State Fireman’s League and held positions of Secretary and President. Furthermore, this work allowed him to be elected in the late 1970s as the RI Director on the National Volunteer Fire Council, where during his tenure he served and chaired the legislative committee. He held the position of Director until his death.
Since 1994, John was the Governor’s appointee to the NFFPC (Northeastern Forest Fire Protection Commission) and held the position until his death.
His funeral will be held on Saturday at 8:30am from the Anderson-Winfield Home, Greenville. Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30am in St. Philip Church, Greenville. Burial with Military Honors in the RI Veteran’s Cemetery. Visitation Friday 5-7pm.
In lieu of flowers donations to the Harmony Fire Department, 194 Putnam Pike, Glocester, RI 02814 Harmony Fire Department or the RI DAV, 380 Westminster Mall, Providence, RI 02903.