Father pays tribute to talented, charitable, practical joker son
A father has paid tribute to his charitable, sport-loving son, who has died aged 26.
Josh Lyons, of West Green, died on March 8 after being hit by a train near Ifield railway station.
He was a talented youth footballer who played for Tottenham Hotspur for three years. He was also described as a practical joker who gave his money to charity and cared for his wheelchair-bound sister.
Dad Liam Lyons said: “He was a joker, mainly at my expense. His family and friends will remember him as someone who was always playing practical jokes but was a good friend to have.”
Josh was a loving brother and carer to disabled sister Jody, 33, and son to Deborah. From an early age he had a compassionate side and would give his pocket money away.
Liam said: “He had a real thing about homelessness. He once went to London and gave a tramp £30. He called me and said he didn’t have enough to get home. He said the guy needed the money more than him.”
“He didn’t have that much but what he did have he gave to other people. If adverts for Oxfam or the donkey sanctuary came on telly he would be on the phone to donate.”
His family have asked that any donations be made to Crawley Open House.
Josh went to school at West Green, Northgate and Hazelwick and came from a large well-known sporting family. He was talent-spotted playing in London and joined Wimbledon FC aged 11. At 12 he signed to Tottenham who he stayed with until he was 15. He then joined Fulham for a year, played for Crawley Town under-18s for two years, but became disillusioned with football.
Liam said: “He was very quick, that’s why they liked him. But with football it’s not how talented you are, you’ve got to have the heart and desire. I think it came too easy so he didn’t have to try as hard.”
He was a big fan of boxing and built his own personal gym in a garage to keep fit. His best friend was his boxer dog Sol who followed him everywhere. A funeral service will be held at St Richard’s Chapel, Surrey & Sussex Crematorium, at 12.45pm on Thursday March 21.
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Weather for Crawley
Sunday 19 May 2013
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Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 20 C
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