Andrew Joseph Lyle

Andy was born in Washington, DC, and grew up in Arlington. The friends he made there in second grade were still his friends more than sixty years later, and he counted Mike Spollen, Dan Conway, Steve "Nard" Huse among the closest. He graduated from George Mason University and spent most of his career with Arlington County, where he held many positions, finishing his career as an inspector with the Fire Department.

Andy loved Washington sports, and he loved bringing people along even more. He and his longtime partner, Mary Ellen Snyder, had Capitals season tickets for years, and when they couldn't go, the seats frequently went to family and friends. He even drove to Hershey, Pennsylvania, to enjoy the Bears games and get an early look at future Caps. He took family to Nationals games for many years, went to many Redskins games - including the last ever RFK game, and made multiple trips to Florida for spring training with Nard.

Exercise was important to Andy and he always encouraged people around him to participate with him. He loved calisthenics, tennis and biking. He was so proud of completing the Colonial Beach Triathlon in the mid-nineties, he later talked several of his relatives to compete in a huge triathlon at the state park where their annual family reunion was being held. He was so excited, he had a bunch of shirts made up for the event and renamed it the "Lyle Family Triathlon."

Andy had a lifelong love of early Ford Mustangs. He owned several, and there always seemed to be one in his mother's driveway. He tinkered with them there between trips to restoration shops, swap meets, and the occasional junkyard, usually with a nephew along. Trucks, Jeeps, and hybrid SUVs came later. He loved the beach, the Outer Banks around Hatteras and Buxton most of all. He was a reader and a history buff.

Andy could tell a story, but he was just as happy to listen. When he was thinking about the past, you could hear him reflecting deeply: "mmm, mmm, mmm," he would say. He was generous with his time and his money, and he was always the first to volunteer when someone in the family needed help moving or a ride to the airport. If you admired something he owned, there was a good chance he'd hand it to you. In later years he started to look a bit like William Shatner, which his nephews never let him forget.

Andy had no children of his own, but you'd never have guessed it from the way he loved his nieces and nephews. Andy didn't say "I love you" a lot. He didn't have to say it, his actions spoke for him. Andy truly lived love.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Fite Lyle and Andrew Joseph Lyle, and his sister, Eileen Bannach.

He is survived by his sister, Barbara Biss; his nephews and niece, David Frey (Natalie), Michael Bannach (Laura), Cary Frey (Jess), Deborah Sheffield (Nick), and Leonard Bannach; and his great-nieces and great-nephews, Charlotte Sheffield, Garrett Frey, Kaleb Frey, Madison Sheffield, Austin Bannach, Hanna Frey, Dakota Bannach, Owen Sheffield, Ryleigh Frey, and Zachary Sheffield.

He is also survived by Mary Ellen Snyder, whom he began dating in 1989 and loved for the rest of his life; her children, Michelle Moncrief (Tom) and David Wood; and her grandchildren, Chris Moncrief and Anthony Wood, all of whom he loved as his own.

At Andy's request, there will be no funeral service. Family and friends are invited to a celebration of his life on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at the Dominion Hills Community House in Arlington.

A Celebration of Life will be held on October 17th, between 1 and 5pm at Dominion Hills Area Recreation Association, 6000 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22205. To help the family prepare, please RSVP by visiting https://partiful.com/e/2AfjQzMbbYpxaX2NCmCH