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Obituary: Harold E. Tyson Jr.

Fri, Feb 24th 2017 04:40 pm

Sept. 26, 1930 - Feb. 17, 2017

The Rev. Harold Tyson Jr. died Feb. 17, 2017, at the age of 86 in Brookdale Kenmore under Hospice care after a long and fulfilling life.

Rev. Tyson came to Western New York in 1959 with his wife and two sons to organize the Island United Presbyterian Church on Grand Island while also working as pastor at Crittenden Presbyterian Church in Crittenden. He worked at several other churches in the area before returning to Island Presbyterian part time while also working as a counselor at Grand Island's Help Center for over 20 years. He was an active member of the Presbytery of Western New York, even after retirement in 1993. In 1982 he was named Grand Island's Citizen of the Year.

His strong faith helped him recover from Guillian-Barrre Syndrome in 1963 shortly before the birth of his second daughter, and kidney cancer in 1999. He and his wife, Kay, were married in Wexford, Pennsylvania, in 1955 and they were excited to celebrate 62 years of marriage in June.

He always had a ready smile, a fun story or laugh to share. He was very proud of all of his family and what they have and are doing. He is fondly remembered by family and friends all over the area.

Born in Abington, Pennsylvania, he graduated from Horsham High School and received his bachelor's degree from Penn State University and his Masters of Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary.

Mr. Tyson lived on Grand Island from 1966 to 2012 before moving to Brookdale Kenmore. He was named Citizen of the Year for Grand Island in 1982.

He enjoyed bird watching, reading, and bicycling (he rode his bicycle around Grand Island several times and crossed the Peace Bridge and rode along Niagara-on-the-Lake to the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge over to Lewiston with his son Tom). His grandchildren remember him for his laughter.

He is survived by his wife, Kay Edwards Tyson, his daughters, Janice of Kenmore and Julie of Binghamton; and his son, David (Karen) of Pleasant Valley, Connecticut. He was the grandfather of Julia, Alexandra, Nicholas, Lily, Jacqueline, Mary and Jeff; and great-grandfather of Kiara, Tieran and George. He was predeceased by his son, Thomas, and his parents, Harold E. and Harriet F. Tyson.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Dengler, Roberts, Perna Funeral Home, 3070 Delaware Ave., Kenmore. A memorial service will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday at Deerhurst Presbyterian Church, 257 Deerhurst Blvd., at the corner of Colvin Boulevard.

Burial will be private on Grand Island.

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