Dr. Brian J. Lyman

Dr. Brian Lyman, 67, of Philadelphia, PA, passed away surrounded by friends and family on Wednesday June 17th. Born in Philadelphia on April 22, 1959, the third child of Charles and Peg Lyman, Brian grew up in the Northeast and attended St. Jerome’s School (Class of 1973). As the years went on, he could frequently be found running the woods of Pennypack Park while at Father Judge High School (Class of 1977). He was also a graduate of St Joseph’s University for his undergraduate degree, Villanova University for his Master’s degree, and the University of Notre Dame, where he obtained his doctorate with the Fighting Irish in 1987.

During his marriage to Eileen Coghlan, they raised their three kids in locales ranging from San Antonio, TX where Brian taught psychology at Trinity University, to Old Bridge, NJ where he worked in the pharmaceutical industry. Brian was a funny, outgoing guy, always looking to tell a story or deliver a punchline and share a pint. Like many, he loved the Phillies and particularly enjoyed listening to games on the radio and Sundays were always for the Birds. If there was not a game on, he could often be found in the middle of a good book and was an avid reader to the end, bringing Once a Runner with him to the hospital. An avid chef, Brian could also whip up a mean meal with minimal planning and ingredients – a skill this writer will forever try to emulate. Later in life, Brian would volunteer when he could back at Father Judge helping at track meets.

Brian is survived by his three children, Patrick (Ellen), Breandan (Samantha), and Bridget Kee (Michael), two grandsons, Connor and Myles, along with a granddaughter on the way. Brian is also survived by his siblings Margaret (Robert) Crawford, Monica (Mark) Hanna, Shakey (Shannon Quinn), Paul (Carol Hirschmugl), his brother-in-law Eugene Gruber, and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, Charles and Peg Lyman, and his sisters, Mary Charlotte Gruber and Mary Assumpta.

Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate his life Sunday, July 12, 2026, 11:00 AM to 12:45 PM, Burns Funeral Home, 9708 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, followed by Words of Remembrance at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in Brian’s memory can be sent to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741.