David Francis Lyons, Sr. of Henlopen Acres and Centreville, Delaware passed away suddenly in Sea Island, Georgia in the company of his beloved wife, Catharine (Kate) Nicolaides Lyons, on April 17, 2018, at the age of 58. He leaves a legacy built with Kate — his two treasured sons, David, Jr., and Timothy, daughter-in-law Anne, grandson Logan, and the respect and affection of the entire Delaware business, civic and sporting community.
David Lyons was a tremendously successful business, civic and community leader, across the state of Delaware, serving as a trustee of the University of Delaware, mayor of his beloved Town of Henlopen Acres near Rehoboth Beach, and as a spokesman for business interests, honest government and sporting conservation through his incredible network of civic and charitable interests. The State of Delaware legislature on Wednesday, April 18th observed a moment of silence in his memory.
Born in Wilmington in 1960 to Dr. Garrett B. Lyons, Sr. and Mary Jane Lyons, David attended The Tatnall School, where he excelled in the classroom and in sports and as a three-time class president, beginning a life-long devotion to the school. He went on to serve on the Tatnall Board of Trustees for more than 15 years and received the Distinguished Alumni Award and Alumni Service Award.
A graduate of Franklin & Marshall College, where he was a varsity member of the Squash and Tennis teams, David entered the insurance business in 1982, founding his own insurance agency in back of his father’s dental office in 1984. In three decades, David Lyons built the Lyons Companies into the largest privately owned, independent insurance and risk management firm in the State of Delaware. His hard work, dedication, and entrepreneurial spirit truly embodied the American Dream. Today, the Lyons Companies boasts 50-plus employees and a nationally recognized insurance advisory practice, which will be carried forward by David’s sons.
David Lyons devoted his extraordinary energy and abilities to improving the community around him. In addition to his service as a member of the Board of Trustees at the University of Delaware, he chaired the Board of the Lerner Center for Economic Education and Entrepreneurship, where he founded the “Economic Forecast” event, bringing national economic policymakers together with business leaders in an annual forum covered by the national press. David was active in the Delaware Business Roundtable, advocating for sensible policies to encourage job creation and business growth in the State, serving as Vice Chairman since 2014.
He also served with distinction on behalf of the Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children, Partnership for Children’s Health, serving on the Campaign for Children’s Health and as chair of the Garrett B. Lyons, Sr. Dental Fellowship. In 2009, he received the Inspiration Award for his service to the Nemours Partnership for Children’s Health.
An avid sportsman, David was an active member and former Chair of the New Castle County Ducks Unlimited, where he championed conservation and a love of the outdoors.
Beneath David’s gravelly baritone was a caring and compassionate soul, fiercely loyal to his Irish roots and family, extending a kindly word or a quiet hand up to countless lives he encountered, faithful to his country, his church and his community, whose humor, energy, passion and selfless dedication have built institutions of lasting value that will endure for years to come.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday April 21, 2018 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 2013 Gilpin Ave., Wilmington, DE 19806.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to one or more of the following:
The Tatnall School, 1501 Barley Mill Road, Wilmington, DE 19807; The University of Delaware Center for Economic Education and Entrepreneurship, 102 Alfred Lerner Hall, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716 or Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Partnership for Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Post Office Box 269, Wilmington DE, 19899.
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