Thomas Andrew Lyons died with family by his side on September 4, 2026, at Woodridge Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Berlin, Vt. He was 89 years old.
He was predeceased by his wife, Patricia Hamilton Lyons, in 1985. He is survived by his children, Thomas of South Burlington, Vt.; Andrew and wife April Uzarski of Pittsburgh, Pa.; and Sarah and husband Raymond Lewis of Walden, Vt.; and by his grandchildren, Audrey Lewis and Thomas and Claire Lyons.
He was born in Richmond, Ind., on November 24, 1936. He grew up in Indianapolis and St. Petersburg, Fla., and graduated from Hebron Academy in Maine. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1958, where he served on diesel-powered submarines. After the Navy, he worked as a phone man in New York City and then as a repairman for Xerox, which brought him to Brandon, Vt. in 1967 with his young family. He built a legendary, seasonal sugaring arch, tapped the massive Park Street sugar maples, and made friends up and down the street. And yes, contrary to what he said to the police that night, he did light off those fireworks.
On a yearlong sabbatical from Xerox, he founded Tap Water, a nonprofit service organization that brought indoor plumbing to Vermonters who did not otherwise have access to running water. This work inspired a career shift that led to decades of design-build work in Vermont and Maine and many very cool projects.
He enjoyed sailing on Lake Champlain and made several voyages, involving many port calls and crew changes, up the coast to Maine and down the intracoastal waterways to Florida on his wooden boat, Prudence. He also inspired many memorable motorcycle trips with friends and family. Among his many gifts were his kindness, his insight and curiosity, and his infectious good nature. Tom was a master storyteller, and he effortlessly brought laughter and goodness to others. He had a million-dollar smile and a greatness that endures.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Woodridge Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, which took such good care and appreciated his whole person to the end.
A celebration of Tom’s remarkable life will be held at a later date.
This article appears in September 9 • 2026.