Stanley A. Lyons

Stanley Austin Lyons, 81, of 7 Knight Street in Sanford, former broadcaster and founder of Lyons Coffee Service, passed away at his home on Wednesday January 17, 2007. He was born on September 9, 1925, the second son of Nina White Lyons and William Richard Lyons in Millinocket. He graduated with honors from Stearns High School 1943; he attended Coyne Electrical School in Chicago until drafted into the Navy in December 1943. While in the Navy, Stan attended Oklahoma A & M, and then a course in radar in Corpus Christi, Texas; radar was quite new at the time. He served in the air branch of the Navy until July 1947, as an electronic technician's mate First Class. His unit was sent to Sanford Air Base to help close it down after WWII, in 1945,and there he met Hazel Hill of Sanford, and Brooklyn, NY. They were married December 8, 1945. After discharge from the service, he worked for Great Northern Paper Company as a millwright in Millinocket until 1952, when he became a broadcast engineer at WABM in Houlton. In 1953, he was promoted to station manager. In 1958, Stan was transferred to Presque Isle, to manage WAGM-AM and-FM radio, then WAGM-TV, as well as WABM in Houlton. Stanley filed nomination papers for the Maine State Legislature in 1970. He had a history of civic involvement; he was a member of the Houlton Rotary Club, a director for the Southern Aroostook Chapter of the Red Cross, on the leadership training committee of Boy Scouts of America, and was elected president of the Houlton Chamber of Commerce. In Presque Isle, he was director of the community recreation association, Parks and Recreation Department, and the Presque Isle United Fund, of which he served as president. He also served as president of the Maine Association of Broadcasters. He came to Sanford to manage WSME Radio, which was then sold in 1972; in May, 1975, Stan founded Lyons Coffee Service. He and his wife Hazel ran the business out of their Sanford home for many years. Stan was nicknamed by customers the "coffee gentleman" not only for his shirt and tie but for his gracious manners, his high standards of customer service and his ethical sales practices. The business moved to Wells in 1995 and has continued to flourish and grow, now owned by son, Dan. Stanley continued to work in the business until 2005.Stan was known to his grandchildren for welcoming them to his swimming pool that he surrounded with inviting gardens and filled with lots of floating toys. Many of their happiest childhood summer memories-birthday parties, 4th of July celebrations, graduations, etc.-were made at Gramp's pool. Stan would open the pool as early in the spring as possible (mid-April) and try to convince everyone that it was plenty warm by Memorial Day.Stan is survived by is wife, Hazel, sons, John of West Kennebunk, Daniel of Kennebunk, and his wife, Vicki; Thomas of Haverhill, MA, and his wife Ruby; Paul of North Windham and his companion Anne; one daughter, Kathryn of Greenfield, MA, and her husband Rick, two brothers, Joseph of Millinocket and James of Bangor; and grandchildren, Jason, Heidi, Caron, David, Gloriana, Angela, Emily, and Rebecca. His first child, Alice, predeceased him in 1951 at age 5. His older brother William of Norwich, CT died, April 25, 1988. The family also mourns the death of grandson Steven William Lyons on January 5, 2007, in Haverhill, MA, Steven was 23 years old and was the victim of a railroad accident.Stan will be remembered for his quiet, quick humor, his loving heart, and his big hugs and his tender kindness.A Celebration of Stan's life will take place on Wednesday, January 24 at 1pm at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street in Springvale.In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Waban Projects, Inc., c/o Waban Association, 5 Dunaway Drive, Sanford, Maine 04073.To leave a message of condolence please use the "condolences" tab to the left.