Jim Lyon: A Part of the Family

Jim Lyon’s gift ensures his support for The Bushnell will continue for generations.

Intelligent. Kind. Witty. Generous. These are just a few superlatives that describe Jim Lyon, longtime Bushnell leader and friend. Born in 1930, the same year The Bushnell opened, Jim lived almost his entire life in West Hartford and was part of The Bushnell family for nearly all his, and our, 90 years.

Jim loved and served this community passionately. He noted that his friends were his family and he made many of those friends through his service on, and leadership of, non-profit boards—including Kingswood-Oxford School and Amherst College (he was an alumnus of both), the Wadsworth Atheneum, and of course, The Bushnell.

Jim joined The Bushnell’s Board in 1993, served as Secretary for 20 years, and was named an Emeritus Trustee in 2013. On that occasion, then Board Chair Bob Patricelli noted: “When I reflect on Jim’s trusteeship, I am inspired by his deep love for, and stewardship of, our great organization. A distinguished tax attorney, Jim was instrumental in helping us develop our now well-established Legacy Giving program. He is inquisitive by nature, continually seeking information to make himself a better Trustee—and us a better Bushnell as a result.”

Jim made a habit of giving generously to The Bushnell during his lifetime and, as a member of The Bushnell Legacy Society, continued that generosity with a legacy gift. We are deeply grateful for his philanthropy, but perhaps most thankful for Jim’s example of how to be a great friend to the people and organizations that meant so much to him.

To learn how you, like Jim, can create a legacy at The Bushnell, please contact Ellen Nattila at (860) 987-6071 or enattila@bushnell.org.