Norman J. “Norm” Lyonnais passed away on Tuesday September 19, 2023, at his home in Mattapoisett. Born in New Bedford on June 11, 1936, he was the son of Eucharist Lyonnais and Viola (Phaneuf) Lyonnais.
Norm left New Bedford Vocational High School in 1955, at the age of 17, to join the United States Air Force. He was honorably discharged after serving his country for three years in England.
In 1959, he married Noreen D. (Andersen) Lyonnais whom he met on a blind date. They recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary together. Norm attended and graduated from Southeastern Massachusetts University (currently UMass Dartmouth) with a bachelor’s degree in business.
He worked for the City of New Bedford in several capacities over many years before eventually retiring from the Bristol County Sheriff’s office. In his retirement he thoroughly enjoyed his time working at WHALE and serving on the Board of Appeals for the town of Mattapoisett.
Norm had many hobbies which included gardening, reading, singing along while he played his piano, dancing, and HUGGING. None of these were more important to him than attending every single one of his three daughters and seven grandchildren’s sporting and school events, cheering the loudest and always the proudest.
Survivors include his wife Noreen; three daughters, Cheryl A. Pereira and her husband John, Donna J. Downey and her husband Paul, and Kristen N. Dailey and her husband Christopher; seven grandchildren, Justin Downey and his wife Sarah, Connor Downey, his wife Anne and their son Hayes, Owen Downey and his fiancée Emily Morse, Mikala “KK” Downey, Jack Dailey, Garret Dailey, and Carter Dailey; his brothers Paul Lyonnais and Donald Lyonnais and his wife Christine; and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his brother Roger Lyonnais.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, September 28th at 10 AM at St. Anthony’s Church in Mattapoisett. A private burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery. Visiting hours are omitted. Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated at Damien’s Pantry, P.O. Box 730, East Wareham, MA 02538, or to any charity of your choice. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
Sorry to hear about Norman. I really enjoyed his company along with you Noreen.
So sorry to hear of Norman’s passing. He was my 1st cousin. My mother (Doris Phaneuf Lelievre) and Norman’s mother were sisters.