Lyle ‘”Jay” Tobin, 75, of Viera, Fla., passed away on March 24, 2018, after a long struggle and complications from a neurodegenerative disease.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Barbara (Fritzsche), sons Scott (Julie) of Loganville, Ga., Gregg (Kim) of Alpharetta, Ga., and Devin (Julia) of Atlanta, Ga., daughter Dina (Pete) Mercaldo of Melbourne, Fla., grandsons, Cameron, Lyle, Dylan, John, Colby, Ryan and Ryder, granddaughters Natalie, Abby and Reese, sisters Cheryl Heins (DJ), Tara Rumsey, Mickie Graham and brother Pat Currie (Gayle).

He was born in Houston, Texas to Diana McGinnis and Lyle J. Currie, Jr., both who preceded him in death. Jay was raised in Miami by his mother and stepfather, John ‘Red’ Tobin, graduated from Southwest Miami High School where he lettered in basketball and football. He attended Miami Dade Junior College and Florida State University on athletic scholarships. He served in the U.S. Air Force and when honorably discharged went to work for Southern Bell in 1964 as a lineman.  During the early years in Miami, he wore many hats with Southern Bell, teaching at their school where he was promoted to management.

He transferred to Oxford, Miss., with South Central Bell in 1976 as a manager. With his children finishing college, he transferred to Merritt Island, Fla., in 1991 with Bell South where he worked as a manager until he retired after 39 years with the phone companies.

A gifted supervisor, he was held in high esteem and was well liked by his co-workers and those he supervised. He was presented and recognized with the Outstanding Community Service Award that was created to recognize year in and year out contributions of telephone company employees to the community.  He was nominated and chosen by his peers.

He was devoted to his family and was a fixture at the ballparks where his children grew up and played ball.  He volunteered as a coach, umpire and commissioner for Little League, Pony League, Khoury League, PeeWee Basketball, and women’s softball where they went on to win the state championship.

In addition, he volunteered as an officer in the PTA, Booster Club, a United Way worker and served in various other roles supporting his children in their endeavors.  In recent years he developed an interest in pickleball, was a founding member in the Viera area where he was known as a tough player. A memorial service was held Tuesday, March 27, at Beach Funeral Home in Melbourne, Fla.