Submitted by: Dan Rich

Br. Brian (Joseph) Lyon, CSC

July, 9, 1917 - June 3, 2008

South Bend Tribune 6/6/2008
SOUTH BEND - Br. Brian (Joseph) Lyon CSC, 90, a former missionary in India and Bangladesh for many years, died at Dujarie House, Notre Dame after a lengthy illness. Born in Loretto, KY, to Joseph Lyon and Mabel Cambron, he entered the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1938 and made his final profession as a Brother of Holy Cross in 1942. He earned his A.B. degree at the University of Notre Dame the same year. His first assignment was to teach for a year at Holy Cross High School in New Orleans and then for two years at Vincentian Institute in Albany, NY. In 1945 he was assigned to the foreign missions in India and East Pakistan/Bangladesh where he served multiple roles: a teacher in high schools in Dhaka, Headmaster of schools in Toomiliah, Haluaghat, Nagari, Biroidakuni, and Bandura, and director of the juniorate program in Nagori. On a sabbatical in 1961, he served on the faculty at Archbishop Hoban High School in Akron for a year. During all his years in the foreign missions, he was known for his generosity and demeanor. He was referred to as 'that kind and gentle man.' Even though he would have only one free period in his daily teaching schedule, he would always be ready to substitute for anyone.

At the age of 70, after more than 43 years in India and Bangladesh, he returned to the USA in 1988 to join the staff and retire at Columba Hall. While on short vacations in India, he would play golf near the Himalayan Mountains. After returning to the United States, he avidly played whenever he could on the Notre Dame golf courses, even managing to score a couple of holes-in-one. He would often help Brother Donald Schapker mow grass at Columba Hall so they could get in an early golf game. His family would hold the "Brother B Open" golf tournament when he would vacation with them in Loretto, Kentucky. He was noted for his cheerfulness and kindness to visitors of the campus and all his fellow Brothers in the community. He is survived by two sisters and three brothers.

Brother Brian's funeral will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2008, at Dujarie House (Our Lady of Holy Cross Chapel), 54515 State Road 933 in the center the Holy Cross Village campus. Viewing is scheduled from 1 to 2 p.m., at which time the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated, followed by burial at St. Joseph Cemetery of the Brothers. Kaniewski Funeral Home is handling arrangements.