Obituary of Neil J. Tyo

Norfolk, NY - Neil J. Tyo, 88, passed away at his home in Norfolk on Jan. 25. Neil was born on Oct. 4, 1922, in Norfolk, son of the late William and Nellie (Castle) Tyo. Growing up during the Great Depression, he began working in the Norfolk Paper Mill at the age of 14, while still attending school. He married Dorothy Perry on Aug. 9, 1943 and served in World War II in the Army Air Corps. Neil was stationed at Kelly Field in San Antonio, TX, where he worked as a medical corpsman. He then volunteered for duty in the South Pacific until the war’s end, when he was honorably discharged and returned to his lifelong home of Norfolk. Following jobs on the railroad and at ALCOA, Neil spent his career working at Niagara Mohawk building and repairing the power grid throughout the North Country. He retired in 1982. Throughout his life, Neil treasured time with his family—at home, at the camps he built on Allen’s Falls Flow, and boating on St. Lawrence River. He enjoyed the camaraderie of friends at the Norfolk American Legion, drives around town, pull-tabs, and “no more than three” Pabst Blue Ribbons. He was a parishioner at the Church of the Visitation. He defied medical odds many times, surviving a war, a fall from an elevated pipeline, an aortal aneurism, being dragged by a running horse, and a fall through a fire and into the Raquette River (the latter at the age of 81). He believed that most illnesses came by themselves, and they’d go by themselves, and that anything could be cleaned with gas on a rag. He enjoyed working outdoors. After shoveling his driveway and sidewalk before his daughters arrived for daily coffee, he passed away Tuesday morning. The coffee was ready. Neil is survived by his three beloved daughters, Joan (Bill) Lalonde of Stockholm, Bonnie Davey, and Mary Jane (Dennis) Byrne of Norfolk; grandchildren Scott Lalonde, James Lalonde, Carrie Tuttle, Neil Cassada, Annie Chase, and John Byrne; many step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Dot, and his brothers, James and Wayne. A funeral Mass will be held at the Church of the Visitation in Norfolk on Friday, Jan. 28 at 10:00 AM. Friends are encouraged to join the family for a reception at the Norfolk American Legion beginning at 11:00 AM. Memorial contributions may be made to the International Myeloma Foundation at 12650 Riverside Drive, Suite 206, North Hollywood, CA 91607 or at http://www.myeloma.org or a charity of one's choice. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.buckfuneralhome.com . The Buck Funeral Home is serving the family of Neil J. Tyo.