Colleagues,
As you may already be aware, we very recently felt the loss of an incredible leader and colleague in Charles H. Lyons who passed on September 25th. He passed peacefully at home surrounded by his wife Leanne, his children, and sister Peggy.
Charlie was a giant in vocational technical education in the Commonwealth. He served as superintendent-director of Shawsheen Tech, serving the students of the regional vocational school for nearly 29 years. He was named superintendent of Shawsheen when he was 33 years old. Shawsheen became one of the best vocational technical schools in the country under his leadership. As a vocational leader, he helped build our statewide system into one that is the envy of the nation.
Charlie had many attributes but was particularly effective with legislative issues. His training started at a very young age. At the age of 18, he was elected to the Arlington School Committee. He was the youngest elected local official in Massachusetts when he won a seat on the Arlington School Committee. H was then elected and served as an Arlington selectman from 1981 to 2005. He is the only selectman ever elected to serve as president of the National League of Cities, the nation’s oldest organization representing cities and towns in every corner of the United States.
Charlie was a master of the legislative process. He was responsible for numerous pieces of legislation that resulted in a positive impact on the Massachusetts vocational technical & agricultural system. To us, Charlie Lyons is already a legend. It was a real gift to be able to witness him in action: his keen mind, his razor-sharp oratory, his passion. He made a mark on everything he touched. He will be sorely missed.
Charlie was both a colleague and a friend.
The entire voc-tech community in Massachusetts shares this heartbreak with his wife Leanne and all of Charlie’s family.”
Please keep the Lyons family in your thoughts and prayers during this extremely difficult time.
We offer our sincere condolences.
Link to Charlie’s obituary and service details
Visitation will be held on Monday, October 2nd 2023 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Saint Agnes Church, 32 Medford St, Arlington, MA 02474.
A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, October 3rd 2023 at 10:00 AM at the same location.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Charlie’s memory may be made to Fidelity House, 25 Medford Street, Arlington, MA 02474.
David J. Ferreira
MAVA Communications Coordinator