Jackie R. Lyda, 73, passed away at his home in Spencerport, NY on September 15, 2017.

A native of Clearfield, PA and a resident of the Greater Rochester area for over three decades, he was an Army Veteran and, as a pioneer in the field of Respiratory Therapy, he served as Hospital Administrator, Professor, Program Developer, and Mentor to many over a career spanning five decades. In retirement, he continued to serve his community as VFW Chaplain, GED Instructor, and Public Health Advocate. A lifelong athlete, he competed in track and field well into his 60s. In the history of humankind, no one has ever enjoyed mowing lawns more than Jack, and, to be sure, heaven now has its newest groundskeeper.

He was predeceased by his father William James Lyda, his mother Naomi Elizabeth Lyda, his daughter Kristine Lyda, and his sisters: Lucy Mae Lyda, Lillian Strickland, Gloria Wright, and Margaret Hardrick. He is survived by his children: Jack II (Betty), James (Angela), Elizabeth (Thierry); grandchildren: Haley, Taylor, Naomi, Maximilian, and Franklin; siblings: Georgianna Massey, Patricia Stewart, Allen Lyda, Sharon Chisholm, Crystal Adams, Eugene Lyda, and Fay Alice Lyda; former spouses: Eva Lyda and Debra Lyda; and several brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

An educator to the very end, Jackie chose to donate his body to the Anatomical Gift Program at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

A small Memorial Ceremony with Military honors will be held at the Kevin A. Beardsley Funeral Home, Clearfield on Saturday, October 21, 2017 at 10 AM.

In honor of his service to our country, donations to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) can be made on his behalf at heroes.vfw.org

To sign the online guestbook, visit www.beardsleyfuneralhome.com