Lyle M. Smith, Sr., 75, proud father, loving grandfather, devoted husband, and exceptional storyteller died October 19th, 2018, following an heroic battle with cancer.

Born in Perth Amboy, June 27, 1943, Lyle attended local schools, excelling in track and field events running on the national high school record-setting shuttle hurdles team. In 1961, he earned a track and field scholarship to Rutgers and later graduated from Monmouth University with a B.S. in mathematics. He met his wife of 51 years, Agnes Bates, in Perth Amboy where they both grew up.

Lyle excelled in his professional career of telecommunications. He especially enjoyed a key role as primary assistant to Bell Communications Research CEO George Heilmeier, culminating in that company's sale to Telecordia. He maintained a strong friendship with George as he moved on.

For more than a decade Lyle travelled extensively as Staff Director of Corporate Activities for IEEE, supporting the efforts of several generations of the world's largest professional society. He has remained a member of that organization since. He was an active member of the Corbe Board of Trustees for many years.


A 30+ year resident of Bernardsville, NJ, Lyle and Agnes were active in both community and church, serving as an usher in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church and remained a fixture at track and cross country meets as well as ballet events and theatrical productions for their two children.


The couple retired to Port Monmouth, NJ, in 1999 where he continued in his passion for golf and tennis, woodworking and wintertime skiing in his favorite Margaretville, N.Y.

A uniquely generous and passionate member of The Dunes community board in Port Monmouth, he worked diligently for his homeowners association, forever an advocate for friends and neighbors, especially in the aftermath of Super Storm Sandy.


Preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Cecelia Smith of Perth Amboy, he is survived by his beloved wife Agnes, two grandsons, his "best buddies," Aiden Smith and Brady Thomas and their parents, Lyle and Heather Smith and Emily and Brady Thomas. Also surviving is his sister, Celia Gyuresko, Aunt Doris Thomas, and a family full of loving cousins, nieces, nephews, and innumerable friends, colleagues and golf partners.

A viewing will be conducted at Flynn and Sons Funeral Home, 23 Ford Ave., Fords, on Tuesday, October 23, 2018, from 2:00-4:00 P.M and 7:00 to 9:00 P.M. Funeral services will begin Wednesday at 10 AM with a funeral liturgy at 10:30 AM at Our Lady of Peace Church, Fords. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery, Metuchen. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in the name of Lyle Smith to St. Jude Children's Hospital.