Cheever J. Lyden ’44

PORTLAND — Dr. Cheever J. Lyden, 90, of Berkeley Street, died on Monday, July 16, 2012, surrounded by his wife and loving family at the Monarch Center in Saco, after a short illness.

Cheever was born in Portland on May 25, 1922, the son of James and Ellen Lyden. He attended St. Patrick’s Catholic School and Deering High School, class of 1940. He graduated from the third class of the Maine Maritime Academy and served as a Merchant Marine officer during World War II and as a naval lieutenant during the Korean War. He earned his Doctorate in Podiatric Medicine and opened practices in both Brunswick and Portland where he practiced for over 40 years.

On April 7, 1956, he married the love of his life Bridget ‘Bridie’ Ward at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Portland, where they remained lifelong communicants.

Cheever and Bridie purchased a cottage in Pine Point, where he spent a lifetime starting remodeling projects. They loved entertaining the large Ward Clan (and anyone claiming to be Irish) at the beach. Cheever especially liked sitting on the Sea Wall with his closest friends. He enjoyed observing the cold Maine winters from Naples, Fla., with their dear friends Jackie and Shag Merrill, where Cheever volunteered for Habitat for Humanity. He will be long remembered for his dry sense of humor and love for storytelling.

Cheever is survived by Bridie, his devoted wife of 56 years; a son James and his wife Helene Clehr of North Logan, Utah, two daughters, Maureen Lyden Green and her husband Jonathan of Melrose, Mass., Anne Lyden and her husband Alfred Elson of Barrington, R.I.; and six grandchildren, Christine, Kathleen, Conan, Keenan, Grace and A.J. He also leaves behind his special nieces, Dottie Keosaian and Pat ‘P.M.’ McAleese; along with sisters-in-law, Claire and Peggy and ‘all the Wards.’

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, July 19, 2012, from 4 to 7 p.m., at the Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State St., Portland. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home on Friday, July 20, 2012, at 9:15 a.m., followed by a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Hope Parish, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 673 Stevens Ave., Portland. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Broadway, South Portland. Online Condolences may be expressed at: www.ctcrawford.com.

Those who wish may make contributions in Dr. Lyden’s memory to:

St. Brigid Parish School
695 Stevens Ave.
Portland, Maine 04103
or Habitat for Humanity
565 Congress St.
Portland, Maine 04101