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Matthew Lacy Obituary
DANVILLE Matthew Lyle Lacy III ("Lyle"), 63, of Danville, passed away Wednesday, March 3, 2010, at his home after a battle with cancer.
Lyle was the son of the late Dr. M.L. Lacy II, of South Hill, and Elise Brite Lacy, currently residing at the Masonic Home of Virginia in Richmond.
Lyle is also survived by his wife, Mary Ann Walden Lacy, originally from South Hill; a son, Matthew Lyle Lacy IV, and fianc‚, Kristen Watkins, of Richmond; a daughter, Laura Lacy Hamilton, and her husband, Timothy Hamilton, of Lynchburg; three wonderful grandchildren, Wyatt, Sam and Nora; his brother, Robert Bruce Lacy, and wife, Kay, of Charlotte, N.C.; his brother, John Wilson Lacy, and wife, Terry, of Chester; and a large extended family.
Lyle is predeceased by his trophy mule deer, Bubba I and Bubba II, and he looked forward to shooting them again in the afterlife.
Lyle was born Nov. 17, 1946, in Roanoke, and grew up in South Hill. He attended Park View High School in South Hill; graduated Hampden Sydney College, class of 1969; and received his MPA from Texas Christian University in 1973. Lyle spent his career in public service, serving as city manager in Oak Ridge, Tenn., Marietta, Ga., Alliance, Neb., and Front Royal. He most recently served as manager of the city of Danville since 2008, after having served as deputy city manager beginning in 1999.
Lyle Lacy will be remembered for his love of spending time with family and friends. Lyle loved a canoe float on dozens of rivers across the country, a boat ride in fresh water pulling a skier, a pile of crappies in his cooler, a late afternoon hunt in the Nebraska Sandhills, a roast rolling on the grill, time with his beloved wife or a hearty laugh recounting one of the many stories from his full life. Lyle was steadfast in his commitment to every community he served; he never missed a teaching moment. For him, everyday was "outstanding!"
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 14, 2010, at Townes Funeral Home Chapel in Danville. The family will greet friends after the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Lyle's honor to the United Way of Danville or Commonwealth Hospice.
Townes Funeral Home & Crematory, 215 West Main St., is serving the Lacy family, www.townes
funeralhome.com. Sign the guestbook online at www.GoDanRiver.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Matthew Lacy
Ron and Diane Swanson
March 22, 2010
Our deepest sympathy, thoughts, and prayers are with you all. Lyle was a phenomenal human being and the picture tribute (that Laura posted) says so much. He will be remembered always as a fun-loving gentle man. God's peace be with you.
March 15, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. Know how much you all mean to us and the community!!!
Kirk, Amy & Matthew Gallagher (Lynchburg, VA)
March 14, 2010
Mary Ann and family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you on our loss. May our memories survive forever. Jim and Karin Osche, Hermosa, SD
Andrea Cuzmanes
March 13, 2010
Laura Hamilton - Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. May your happy memories comfort you in this time of sorrow.
Love,
Andrea Cuzmanes and Ryan Greer, and the Cuzmanes family
Kathy Eanes-Hodges
March 12, 2010
Mary Ann & Family: I am so sorry for your loss. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I enjoyed working with you in adult education.
Teri Ely
March 11, 2010
May God bless you and shelter you all in your time of grief. And may the memories of your loved always bring a smile to your face and those around you.
Merrie Meadows Derderian
March 11, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Harry Meadows
March 11, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
March 11, 2010
Mary Ann......our thoughts and prayers are with you and your children.
Vic and Carolyn Megginson
John Childs
March 10, 2010
I was lucky enough to go to college with Laura and her husband. My father, Rick, knew Lyle while the two of them attended Hampden-Sydney. Therefore, 2 generations of our family were granted the blessings of relationships with the Lacy family. May God be with you and comfort you in this time.
March 8, 2010
Our Condolences go out to Mary Ann and Children. As a mentor, none could match Lyle. With great respect and high admiration, Lyle is one of the best I've had the privalige to work for.
MIke Hulquist, City of Alliance Water Supt.
Frank Clifton
March 8, 2010
Lyle served as city manager of Oak Ridge when I served as city manager of Brentwood, TN. Lyle was respected for his professionalism and wisdom as a city manager, leader and visionary. His service to the public was second only to his commitment to family. The profession and city of Danville has lost a uniquely qualified individual.
Richard Furr
March 8, 2010
On behalf of the men and women of the Front Royal Police Department, I want to extend our sincere condolences in your loss. Several of our officers worked with Mr. Lacy and had nothing but the utmost respect for him as Town Manager.
Richard H. Furr
Chief of Police
March 8, 2010
Mary Ann and family, Our hearts reach out in sympathy and prayer at Lyle's death. We remember the good times while we all lived in Alliance.
Love, Frank and Betty Balderson
21 Brentwood Ct.
Scottsbsluff, NE 69361
Robert Jatczak
March 7, 2010
Mary Ann Lacy and family, My sincere condolences to you and yours in your loss of Lyle. I really enjoyed working with him. I think he was a very sincere and honest leader. Lyle will be in my prayers. Sincerely, Robert Jatczak
Bob Score
March 7, 2010
Mary Ann, Laura & Matt,
So many memories, so little time. We'll catch up soon.
Randy Kelley
March 7, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with Mary Ann and the children and grand children at this sad time.
I worked with Lyle when I was working for Danville Public Schools. When I was having a bad day all I had to do was go upstairs and visit Lyle and by the time I left it had disappeared. He was the optimists optimist. I will sincerely miss his sage advice and friendship. The nation, the state and this community have lost a truly great citizen. Fair Winds and Following Seas, Lyle.
Cindy Hartman
March 7, 2010
My prayers are with your family during this time of grief. Mr. Lacy was a wonderful manager, and I am proud that I worked for such a fine man.
Lisa Fitzpatrick
March 7, 2010
My Thoughts and Prayers are with the family. Mr. Lacy was a good man. He will be miss by many.
John and Joannie O'Neill
March 6, 2010
Mary Ann, Laura, Matt
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Lyle was my boss, my mentor, my fishing partner and most of all, a true friend. Moomaw aside, I will always cherish our times on the Shenandoah River. To steal from the Righteous Brothers, "If there's an outdoors in heaven, they just gained a helluva man"
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Arnold R. Godsey
March 6, 2010
Found notice of death in today's Knoxville, News Sentinel. I worked at Oak Ridge, but never met hin. However, I'm a Lacy descendant and he is my 6th cousin. I'm very sorry to learn of his death
Patrick & Mary Jinks
March 6, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with Lyle's family. We are appreciative of Lyle's life and service to his community.
Jan Winslett
March 6, 2010
Those who have known and worked with Lyle share this loss. His vision and leadership for the City of Oak Ridge were the best, as was his sense of fairness to all. What a unique and memorable individual Lyle was.
March 5, 2010
To the family of Lyle Lacy, I always enjoyed talking and working with Lyle over the years. He was always fair and responded in a timely manner, and gave good counsel. He was an asset to Danville.
Stacey Wright
Leah King
March 5, 2010
Mary Ann, Laura & Matt,
I was so saddened to hear of Lyle's passing. My deepest sympathy to each of you. Lyle was always so proud of all of you. He was the best boss, mentor and friend anyone could ever have. He faced and fought his disease with the same dignity he had in all of his affairs. May it comfort you to know that your sorrow is shared by a tremendous amount of other people, all accross the country.
So long Lyle. Heaven has gained a "grrrrreat" man.
Ali Cox
March 5, 2010
Sending your family sincere condolences and prayers for peaceful hearts.
Donald Bell
March 5, 2010
Mary Ann, John and Bruce,
Although I have not seen Lyle and the rest of you since High School I have the fondest memories of those times and I'm sure Lyle did not change. You should take comfort in that. I'm deeply sorry for your loss.
March 5, 2010
Mary Ann-My heart was broken when I heard the news. Lyle was a wonderful person and friend. This is such a loss to his family, his City, and his friends. Many thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of sorrow.I pray that God will be with you and your family during the days ahead.
Arlene Creasy
March 5, 2010
Mary Ann-My heart was broken when I heard the news. Lyle was a wonderful person and friend. This is such a loss to his family, his City, and his friends. Many thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of sorrow.I pray that God will be with you and your family during the days ahead.
Vicky Newman-Holley
March 5, 2010
So sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Barbara (Hall) Hudson
March 5, 2010
Oh my; how much he looked like his Dad and what a compliment that is! We are so very sorry for your loss and pray God will watch over and be with each of you as you face the days ahead without him. Sincerely,
March 5, 2010
I feel a great sense of loss though I
had not seen Lyle for 26 years.
He was my boss, friend and a great guy.
Lowell Strunk (Oak Ridge)
John Schlatter
March 5, 2010
My deepest sympathy to Lyle's family. I had the pleasure of knowing Lyle many years ago when he was City Manger of Oak Ridge, Tennessee and I was a reporter for the local newspaper. He was a great city manager and a true gentleman. There is a healthy adversarial relationship between public officials and the media, but Lyle always treated me with respect and good humor even when we disagreed. I had not seen Lyle for more than 20 years when I called to congratulate him after he was named Danville city manager. It was like no time had passed. He was the same friendly, self-effacing gentleman I knew years earlier. Lyle exemplified the term "public servant." We will all miss him.
topper watson
March 5, 2010
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
Earl B. Reynolds, Jr.
March 5, 2010
To The Family of My Friend and Colleague: Please accept my deepest sympathies at the passing of your loved one. Lyle was a true friend and confidant during my time as City Manager of Martinsville and President of the Virginia Local Government Managers Association. His professionalism and committment to public service will be greatly missed.
EARL MANGRUM
March 5, 2010
MR. LACY WAS THE BACKBONE OF THE CITY OF DANVILLE, VA. AND GREAT MAN TO KNOWN HE WILL BE MISSED
T David Luther
March 5, 2010
There is a great void in the City of Danville and we are all somewhat the poorer. Rest in Peace, Lyle.
Bill & Susan Harris
March 5, 2010
This event represents a huge loss to his family and many friends. Lyle did many things for friends and associates over many years of friendship and it was an honor to be called his friend.
It was his hallmark to treat all fairly without once thinking: “what’s in it for me?” He was noted for his conspicuous absence of ego in his dealings with others: those who were important as well as others not so much so. He taught so many the true meaning of “Love thy Brother;” always through his actions rather than just words.
Our sincerest sympathies and love are with all of his family.
Now may God rest his soul.
March 5, 2010
Mary Ann, I and your other school mates in South Hill are deeply sadden for your and our loss of Lyle. Our condolences to you and the children. (Blair Kinker)
Beth Smith
March 5, 2010
My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. Beth Barkley Smith
March 5, 2010
To the family of Lyle:
I pray that you will find strength and comfort in knowing that your husband, father and grandfather was held in high esteem by all who had the occasion to do business with him as a representative of the City of Danville. God Bless you.
Tommy Fleming
Richmond, VA
Bruce & Kim Riddle
March 5, 2010
To a great Man and City Manager. I know that he will be missed! The family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Totch and Lisa Hartge
March 5, 2010
He is as close to a National Treasure as many of us will ever know.
Shirley Primiano
March 5, 2010
I got to know Lyle when he first came to Danville. I am so very sorry for your loss. God Bless.
Bernard Baker
March 5, 2010
Danville lost a wonderful, decent man.
kemp & karen mathews
March 5, 2010
karen and i send our deepest sympathies and love to the family and friends of lyle.
Stokes Daniels
March 5, 2010
It was my pleasure to have knowned and worked with Lyle - I could bank on his word and that went a long way - he was always friendly and had a good sense of humor - you will be missed friend -
Leon Jones
March 5, 2010
Lyle will be missed by many. I enjoyed his leadership. Our Prayers go out to his family.
gordy coleman
March 5, 2010
Since I learned of Lyle's condition a little over a week ago, not a day has gone by when I didn't think about him and our time together 40 years ago at Hampden-Sydney. No doubt, he will be greatly missed by all of us who were fortunate enough to have known him. My sincerest sympathies to Mary Ann and the rest of Lyle's family.
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