Charles Vincent Lyness, passed away at his home on Marblehead Neck on Sunday March 20, 2016. He was the devoted husband for 67 years of the late Mary-Louise (McGrath) Lyness, loving father of Michael and Chris Lyness and Anne (Howard) Ward, loving grandfather of Chris (Christine), Louise and William Ward; and great grandfather of Hunter and Lila Ward. He also leaves his six nieces and nephews of whom he was very fond. He will be greatly missed by all of his friends and family.


Vincent was born in Lynn, MA in 1919 and was a graduate of Lynn English High School in 1938. He was a proud alum of Boston College, from where he graduated in 1941, and was even prouder to see his son Chris and his three grandchildren follow in his footsteps. After graduation, Vincent served in the United States Navy during World War II as a Commanding Officer assigned to USS LST 352 – a tank landing ship that participated in operations in the Mediterranean (Sicily and Salerno, Italy) in 1943 and 1944. During his time in Italy, he met Pope Pius. After active duty, he taught astronomy and celestial navigation at both Dartmouth College and Columbia University on behalf of the Navy. He retired as a vice president of Moseley, Hallgarten, Estabrook & Weeden, an investment brokerage in Boston. He was extremely proud to be a member of the "Greatest Generation" and enjoyed sharing his war knowledge and stories.

He spent many happy years in Marblehead, and up until the day he died, lived in the house he built for his bride and himself. He loved golfing at the Tedesco Country Club, walking the beach at the Swampscott Beach Club and dining on the decks of the Eastern and Corinthian Yacht Clubs. Some of the happiest times of his life were in Florida, where he and Mary-Louise became residents after his retirement. They enjoyed many great friendships there and could often be found doing their favorite thing, dancing at the Everglades Club, after dinner. Vincent was a dedicated parishioner of Our Lady Star of the Sea in Marblehead and St. Edwards in Palm Beach. He was a man of great faith.

Graveside services will be held privately at the request of the family. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated for Vincent at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 80 Atlantic Avenue, Marblehead, MA on Friday, July 8, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 80 Atlantic Ave, Marblehead, MA 01945. Arrangements are under the direction of the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St., Salem. For additional information or on line guest book please call 978-744-0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneral Home.com.