02/27/2026
It is our sad duty to inform you of the death of Reverend Monsignor Richard J. Lyons, JCL, a retired priest of the diocese and Judicial Vicar Emeritus. He died on February 25, 2026. He was 78 years old.
Msgr. Lyons was born in Red Bank, NJ, and attended Seton Hall University and Immaculate Conception Seminary, Darlington. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Trenton on May 18, 1974. He served at Immaculate Conception Parish, Somerville, Sacred Heart Parish, South Plainfield, and St. Matthew Parish, Edison. In 1986, he was named Administrator of St. John the Evangelist Parish, Dunellen, becoming Pastor in 1989 and serving there until 2008. After the formation of the Metuchen Diocese, he was asked to pursue a License in Canon Law to establish a diocesan Tribunal. Monsignor served as Associate Judicial Vicar of the Tribunal for 15 years before becoming Judicial Vicar in 2001. In 2016, he was named a Chaplain to His Holiness by Pope Francis. He retired from active ministry in 2020.
Msgr. Lyon’s body will be received by Rev. Msgr. John Fell on Monday, March 2, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church, 317 First Street, Dunellen, with public visitation to follow until 4:45pm. Very Rev. Robert Kolakowski, Judicial Vicar, will preside at the Mass of Commemoration at 5:00 p.m. and Rev. Sean Winters will be the homilist. Most Rev. Paul G. Bootkoski, Bishop Emeritus, will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s, and Rev. Brian Nolan will be the homilist. Interment will be at Resurrection Cemetery, Piscataway.
Let us be joined in prayer that Msgr. Lyons will find the fulfillment of his faith and the reward of his priestly labors in the presence of the Risen Lord. May our prayerful support be a source of comfort to his family. May he rest in peace.
