Lysle William Robinson Obituary
Lysle William Robinson, of Tallahassee, FL, died on June 6, 2024, seven years after his diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer's disease.
The mold was broken when Anna Regina (Schneider) Robinson and James Preston Robinson, Sr., welcomed their third child and second son, Lysle William, into their household on February 17, 1950 in Miami, Florida. Lysle was one of nine children and probably the most mischievous of them all. He grew up in a home with one bathroom for five sisters, three brothers and his parents, so he quickly learned the value of space and time. He made a sport of breaking the rules, having fun, and generally driving his parents crazy. In a family of eleven he was always fighting for more, so he ate his lunch on the bus on the way to school and took a job in the school cafeteria so he could have a second lunch.
Following graduation from La Salle High School in Miami, Lysle enlisted in the U.S. Army and was promptly sent to Vietnam as part of the 25th Infantry Division. He was a two-tour Vietnam veteran who was recognized with the National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal with a bronze star. Shortly upon return to Miami, he met Lynn Ann Tomanelli, and married on Christmas Eve 1972. Lysle worked briefly for the Department of Veterans Affairs before moving to the Miami-Dade Water Department where he was a meter reader. Lysle often read meters in poverty-stricken parts of the city and became adept at outrunning dogs, dealing with their crazed owners, and even having to take care of a snake or two! Lysle eventually found himself working in the printing industry as a stripper (yes, actually the name of the job). He loved handing out business cards indicating he was a stripper!
Lysle and Lynn moved around Florida settling between Miami, Tallahassee (with a brief stop in Los Angeles, CA), Gainesville and back to Tallahassee. Throughout all of those moves, Lysle did whatever was needed to provide for his family as the printing industry was often cyclical and prone to layoffs. When computers took over the printing industry and ended the need for strippers, Lysle changed again. He earned an Associate's Degree at Tallahassee Community College (his papers were so well-written his professors thought he plagiarized them) and went to work for ARF before becoming a state of Florida employee for the Department of Health and the Department of Management Services. The state still uses the contracts Lysle wrote when they train new staff as his work was impeccable. Lysle retired shortly before his dementia diagnosis.
Throughout his life, Lysle enjoyed many things. He lived life fully and without regret and thought critically about a wide range of topics. He believed in gathering as much information as possible and listening to a variety of opinions, even ones he did not necessarily agree with. He firmly believed all people should be treated with dignity and respect and felt that life was full of gray areas and not as black and white as some might have you think. He loved his wife, children, grandchildren, extended family as well as good bourbon and wine, travel, books (so many books – Lysle read thousands and many more than once!), music (particularly the Blues), movies of all genres and varieties, dogs, good friends, good times. Lysle was devoted to his family and friends and made sure to tell people he loved them. It was important to him that people knew how he felt and how important they were to him. Lysle excelled at many things – taking direction from Lynn regarding yardwork and household chores, sewing, making a bed, ironing, and being meticulous in his work and hobbies. Lysle was a practicing Buddhist and faced death head-on, just as he did life.
Lysle and Lynn welcomed their first child, Jennifer Lynn, in 1973 and their son, Thomas William, in 1978. He is survived by his wife of 51 years and love of his life, Lynn; his daughter, Jenny Modi (Raj); his son, Tommy; his grandchildren, Dominic Modi, Jayna Modi, Ava Robinson, and Caroline Robinson. He is also survived by his siblings, Gina Daniel, Jimmy Robinson, Jr., Mary Zamora (Orlando), Cathi Moody (Ralph), Michael Robinson, Barbara Soper (Jim), Ruth Robinson. Many nieces and nephews on the Robinson side of the family. Survivors also include sisters- and brothers-in-law, Angie & Andy Falk, Lisa and John Posey as well as nieces: Alison Posey (Shane Funk), Jackie Ammon (Eric), Brittany Shannon (Jarred), Janie Wood (Tim) and their families. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother John, brother-in-law, Don Daniel, and in-laws, Tom and Betty Tomanelli.
Per Lysle's wishes, he will be cremated with no funeral ceremony. He preferred we have a party to celebrate his life and that's what we'll do in the months to come. For now, to honor Lysle and his amazing life, raise a glass of your favorite bourbon or wine or beer (preferably German or Scottish), with your favorite people and enjoy as he did.
