He was born on March 21, 1932 in Sayre, Pennsylvania, the son of Edna Sage. He graduated from Towanda High School in June 1950. He married Roberta Moody Sage in Dushore, Pennsylvania on May 3, 1952.
Lyall worked at Ingersoll Rand in Athens, Pennsylvania as a machinist until he enlisted in the US Army in 1950. He served during the Korean War in the Military Police guarding the gold at Fort Knox. He was honorably discharged as a Corporal on May 9, 1955 and served with the US Army Reserves until May 31, 1961.
He returned to work at Ingersoll Rand until he accepted an appointment with the New York State Police on October 25, 1956. He was assigned to Troop C as a uniform trooper and later became a member of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation. He was stationed at Sidney, Cooperstown, Oneonta and Margaretville barracks. Lyall also served on Governor Rockefeller’s detail when he visited the Otesaga in Cooperstown, was part of the accident investigation unit, was senior trooper for several recruits and taught at the NYS Police Academy in Albany. He retired on August 17, 1977 with 21 years of police service.
In retirement, Lyall held a variety of jobs including private investigator, car salesman, Center Disciplinary Officer at Oneonta Job Corp, mail room supervisor at Hartwick College, construction worker on I-88, tractor trailer driver and courier for Wilber National Bank.
Lyall was a member of the Masons, Elks, Police Benevolent Association, Antique Car Club, Ouleout Valley Fish and Game Club, Franklin American Legion Post #1689 and attended the Franklin Community Bible Church.
Lyall was an avid fisherman and hunter. He loved animals, enjoyed playing pool and a good game of poker with his buddies. To keep in shape after retiring he swam laps and walked. He was proud to show off his 1956 Oldsmobile Holiday and had a cameo appearance driving his car in the movie Cobb, during filming in Cooperstown.
Lyall was a dedicated family man who loved his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He enjoyed taking them fishing, on 4-wheeler, snowmobile and tractor rides around the field behind his home.
He is survived by his wife Roberta, of nearly 67 years; his children, Karen Sage, Linda (Sage) and Tom Worden, Kelly (Sage) and Douglas Coughlin; grandchildren, Brad and Tina Brundege, Keri (Brundege) and Jeff Enslow, Justin Worden, Jonathan and Kathryn Worden, Lindsay Worden, Daniel Coughlin, Sage Coughlin, Jeffrey Coughlin; and great-grandchildren Alex Brundege, Dylan Brundege, Leah Brundege, Emma Enslow and Emmaline Worden; and sister Eileen Sherman.
Calling hours will be held on Sunday, February 10, 2019 at 2 pm with a Memorial Service to follow at 3 pm at the Franklin Community Bible Church, 89 Center Street, Franklin with Pastor Walt Schlundt officiating.
Burial with military and state police honors will take place at a later date in the Ouleout Valley Cemetery, Franklin.
Donation in Lyall's memory may be made to your local SPCA.
Condolences to the family may be made online by visiting our website: www.bennettfh.com.
Arrangements are by the Kenneth L. Bennett Funeral Home, Franklin.
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