SARATOGA SPRINGS — John Douglas Lyall, 73, passed away on August 26 at Saratoga Hospital. He was born on January 23, 1942, in Palisade, CO, to the late Wilfred Alexander and Lucie (Wainwright) Lyall.
Doug grew up in Pittsfield, MA, and graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1960. After high school he attended Springfield College (MA) where he received a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1964 and a master’s degree in education in 1965. In 1964 Doug married Mary Gloria and they spent the next 50 years together.
In 1998 after Doug and Mary’s daughter Suzanne tragically disappeared, they together founded the Center for Hope and had many accomplishments on behalf of missing people including: the development of ‘Susanne’s’ Law,’ a federal law that increases protection for missing young adults (18 to 20) was signed by President Bush in April 2003; ‘The New York State Campus Security Act’ which requires New York State colleges to develop plans for prompt investigations of missing students and violent offenses committed on campus.
In addition to his parents, Doug is predeceased by his brothers William and David Lyall.
Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Mary of Ballston Spa, his son Steven Lyall and his wife Deborah Johnson of Dumont, NJ, his daughter Sandra Lyall of East Longmeadow, MA, granddaughter Heather Morton of East Longmeadow, MA. His daughter Suzanne has been a missing person since 1998.
Relatives and friends gathered in his name on Monday, August 31 at the William J. Burke and Sons/Bussing and Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway in Saratoga Springs. A funeral service followed at the funeral home. A gathering for family and friends was held following the service at the Factory restaurant in Ballston Spa. Burial was private. The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Center for Hope, 20 Prospect Street, Ballston Spa, NY 12020.
