Allen J. “Al” Cyr

HONOLULU - Allen J. “Al” Cyr, 70, of Haleiwa, Hawai’i, formerly of Nahant, Massachusetts, died on February 25 at The Queen’s Medical Center, Honolulu, after a lengthy illness. Born in Lynn on November 5, 1955, he was the son of the late Aubrey A. and Madeleine (Albert) Cyr. He leaves his siblings, Michael (Virginia) Cyr of Reading, Suzanne (Daniel) Hamill of Nahant, James (Deborah Miles) Cyr of Florida, Stephen Cyr of Maine and Carol Cyr Hanson of Marblehead. He was the brother of the late Elizabeth Cyr of New Hampshire.

Al leaves several nieces and nephews and their families: Christopher Cyr of Salem, Stephanie (Joel) Anderberg of New York, Sandra Cyr (Matthew MacGregor) of North Carolina, Brian (Charlotte) Hamill of Charlestown, Jennifer Mahan of Lynnfield, Scott (Anne) Hamill of Acton, Katherine (Michael) Braidman of Florence, Renee Hanson Amancio of New Hampshire, Aaron (Kristin) Hanson of Peabody, Monica Hanson of New Hampshire, Ken (Alison) Cyr of Carver, Dylan (Alyson) Henry of New Hampshire. He leaves several great-nephews and great-nieces, an uncle and aunt, several cousins, and many Hawai’i friends who shared his life there for over five decades.

Al began surfing at Short Beach in Nahant as a young teenager, funding his surf excursions by delivering newspapers for several years, and saving all his tips. He entered New England surf contests, and was on the Nahant Beach Surf Shop competition team. He rose in the ranks from 1A to 3A boys’ division, was listed just under pro 4A, and was ranked #8 in New England/East Coast. After graduating from Lynn Classical High School in 1973, where he received good grades, he decided to chase waves rather than a career. He traded life on the North Shore of Massachusetts for life on the North Shore of Oahu.

An extremely accomplished surfer, he rode the waves on Sunset Beach, Waimea Bay and several other famed Hawaiian beaches, where winter surf often reaches 30 feet in height. He also was a very skilled surfboard shaper. Al loved to travel: he also surfed in Bali, three Tahitian islands, Australia, Mexico, Java and other challenging locations. He surfed during several winters in Puerto Rico, California, and most of the East Coast. Al also was a dedicated spotter at Hawaiian surfing competitions, identifying surfers riding a wave, for judges to score. Al often worked alongside famed surfer and judge Albert “Rabbit” Kekai, who was one of the innovators of modern surfing. At one point, Al was invited to judge surfing contests around the world. That would have meant leaving his beloved Hawai’i, so he declined the invitation.

An avid skateboarder, he started Airfoil Skateboards in Hawai’i, and as a youngster was one of the first snowboarders on the North Shore of Massachusetts. Al was employed for many decades at Jameson’s restaurant in Haleiwa, Hawai’i, where he made several good friends and shared many good times.

Al is deeply missed already by his large family and many friends. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date in Massachusetts.