You were my teacher,  my friend, and my biggest supporter. You were the only person who knew what I was going through at home.  I wish I had found you sooner so I could thank you face to face. You meant so much to me that my second son was given your name, Michael Andrew Sanchez.  You always have been, and always will be in my heart. 

Gene I know You are free from pain, for I know you are with your Caryl, I just read a poem you sent me on my 70th birthday, and one line told me all I needed to know "Tho my arms  reach out in shackled supplication, and I cannot grasp the essence of your sorrow: accept my shaded understanding so that I may lean and weep with you. this told me where Gene was in his belief, in Jesus, I am only  sorry it took 11 years for me to understand, but then again maybe the time is right and he let me know he is OK

So, if someone asked me to tell them about Dad. I would say that he was a kind and gentle man. He would give the shirt off of his back if they asked for it. He loved his Family and Friends with all of his heart and I loved him with all of my heart and soul.  I miss the time of sitting with him and drinking coffee and watching black and white TV. I miss the times of just talking to him and him listening to my stories and me listening to his. I miss the times of sitting in his office and watching him play poker. I love you Dad and Miss you With All of my Heart and Soul. I promise to take care of your Daughter with my utmost ability. I love you dad

Andy, it was my pleasure to get to know you through your daughter, my best friend Vicki.  you were such a sweet & caring man...friend, father, grandfather, uncle...everyone will miss you enormously.  I hope your family will find peace knowing you are back together again with your wife, Caryl.  Till me meet again....

An Angel Within Me
     
     I think of you everyday and dream with you every night, the ebb and flow of emotion brings with it an undertow of tears.
     The day moves on, calming the sea's turmoil of grief. 
An unexpected wave of emotion pummels me yet again. 
                                        
                                         Life.....
     
    At times, I feel overwhelmed by this unpredictable sea of loss, fearing i will drown voluntarily. 
                            
                                        It's beautiful...... 
    
     An angel was with me, teaching the beauty within the world, within us. 
    I let the ebb and flow, the undertow, and the wave take me. 
                          
                                       For it is a gift...... 
    
    The angel is still within me, 
reminding me of the beauty in this world, 
reminding me that it's okay to let this sea take me, 
reminding me that I am fortunate to brave this sea. 
    For, there are others who don't know of this sea of loss, 
who will not taste the salty tears of the undertow, 
never had an angel to show them. 
                             
                                       Cherish it......

Mr. Andrews, Andy, Lyle, Gene, Dad, Grandpa - those were the names used by your loving family, your former students and co-workers, and friends.  I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Andrews while attending high school with your daughter Vicki.  I hung out at your house now and then and got to know you and your family.  Once high school was over, Vicki and I lost contact until a few years later when we ended up working at the same job!  I was invited to many family functions and it was then I began to know you as Andy.  One of the greatest gestures by you was that you always embraced any friends of your family as you embraced my own family with hugs, a wink and a "how are you".  Your gift of story telling was well known.  Very intelligent, you told the best stories whether it was a funny one, a true historical one, or one about a family member - whatever the story, you had our attention.  It was obvious how much you loved your family as you hugged them, talked to them, held them.  And each one of them carries a part of your legacy.  You were one of a kind and you will be deeply missed by many including my own family...

Grandpa I miss you and love you more then words can ever describe. I have raised a beautiful and very smart boy and I tell him stories about you and he laughs and smiles and wants to know more. Anyone you came into contact with you made smile and feel welcome and loved and not have a worry in the world. You were what everyman in this world needs to be like. I cant wait till the day in at the gates because ill be able to see you again and we can play some poker. You'll always be someone I tell everyone about.

Grampa always had time for us. He always made me feel like I was the most important person whenever we were talking or were together. So I don't know how he had time to make everyone else feel special. I've come to the conclusion that he was a magician and somehow could be multiple places at once having multiple conversations and doing completely different things. I mean, it's just not logically possible that he could devote as much time to me as he did while devoting time to all of the other people in his life. But he did.
Grampa had an unconditional love for everyone he met. I never heard him say mean things about anyone. He always gave them the same chance that he gave everyone. He loved his students, friends and family without bounds and would go to any length to let them know it. He'd give you his last dollar if you needed it.
I can't tell you what my earliest memory of him is because I'm lucky enough to have so many memories of him in my life. When I lived in Germany, he sent us videos with his new recorder circa 1981 or 82. In the video he made himself disappear and we could still hear him. It was so amazing then. He knew we didn't have American cartoons so he recorded them for us and sent them out so we could watch them. Something that I'm sure wasn't cheap to do.
When I moved back to CA in 83 I was 8 and we were allowed to live with him for a bit until we found our own house. It was amazing. We loved the pool and he had a spotting scope so we could watch the fun happening at the pool even while we were in his house. He let me drive his huge tuna boat of a car (on his lap) and I nearly crashed us. He made life fun.
I'll never forget all of the Christmas parties. He looked forward to them so much. He always spent so much money on food and gifts. The gift exchange game was always the highlight of the night and he made sure that every family got a gift. And the gifts were always fantastic ones that people wanted to win.
He was my teacher of poker. He taught us all how to play. He loved the game. He loved everything about poker. Mostly I think he enjoyed sitting around with us and spending time playing a game that he taught us.
Grampa never was shy about telling us that he loved us. We always knew exactly how he felt about us. He showed us in so many little ways. A random hug, a piece of candy, earning a dollar for beating him in a video game or receiving a random phone call just because he was thinking of me. I always knew he loved me. I always knew that I was on his mind often.
We've been so fortunate as a family to have him for all of our lives. I am so fortunate to have been named after him. I hope I will always make him proud.
He is my captain, my pirate, my friend and my grampa. I love him so.
Save me a seat too grampa, and I'll see you again.

Andy was one of the best teachers I ever had.  Kind and giving, with an open heart and mind that made every student in his classroom feel wanted and welcome, no matter their social status in a place as angst ridden as high school.  His unconventional and freewheeling style of educating his students made class fun and exciting and I am a better writer today because of what I learned from him.  The world needs more like him.  He will be missed.

Grandpa. I had written down my feelings and put them in an envelope that is now laying to rest with you.I thought that that would be enough. But after reading all these beautiful entries for you, I realize I still have a lot of healing to do. You always have been, and will be the best friend I have ever had. Everything we shared together will always be with me. I will forever miss my grandpa, my teacher. I will forever miss my best friend. Save a seat at the poker table for me.

You were a bright light in my life the moment we met. You always encouraged me no matter my endeavor. I love you with all my heart and will miss you forever. Thank you for being you.

Andy was a beautiful man. His classroom was a very welcome respite in that angst ridden place known as "high school". I loved his class and worked on many issues of Scroll. Well " worked" may not be the right term since we all did it out of our love for poetry and our love of Andy. He was one in a billion. Your star will be the brightest in tonight's sky, Andy.

My Dearest Mr. Andrews,
You were there for me when I really needed a friend & have been ever since. I knew from the first time that we met that we were going to be good friends. I will miss our 40 year friendship but you will always be in my heart & thoughts. You are loved by so very many people & will be missed even more. This earth lost a great person but heaven gained a beautiful angel. Now you can with your sweet Caryl that you have missed so much. I can't wait to see you when it is my time to leave this earth. Please be there, to greet me, as I will be looking out for you with a beautiful rose in my hand. I miss & love you my dear friend, Carolina  "Your Rose Lady" Forever  xoxoxo

Grampa....what can I say. You will always hold a special place in my heart. You filled that void I had in my life after I lost my own grandparents. From day one you treated me just like part of the family. I have had the pleasure of having you in my life for 27 years and I have so many fond memories, which I will forever treasure. Thank you for the many memories with Mallori and Nickolas. They love thier great grampa "patchman" so much. I will miss those big Bear hugs and you whispering  "an extra tight hug for my Jules" in my ear. I love you grampa. Sweet dreams and  enjoy being with your sweet Caryl.

I LOVE YOU DADDY AND WILL NEVER STOP  
           I love you CINDY

We were so close growing up. I 'll keep you close to me until we meet again in heaven. I love you to the moon and back.

I think linda said..today the world lost a prince we lost a king

Uncle gene you always will hold a special place in my heart. I'll treasure the time I was given with you and never forget the fun and love you brought to our family. Wheel chair races in grandma Andrews basement and our cigarette talks, you were one of a kind. I love you and will miss you and your raspy laugh and big old smile. Til we meet again, rest in peace.

Believe and admire, protect and show, watch and listen, love and know, a brothers love is a sisters greatest treasure, thank you for 81 years of your love

Love and prayers and hugs to all of the Andrews family and friends.

Dad, It is so hard to put into a book my feelings about you. You were my teacher, my best friend, but most of all my dad. You were always there for a shoulder too cry on as well as listen to my complaints and we shared a lot of happy, good and sad times together. Oh my gosh...As I am typing this they are playing "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong. I know how you loved that song. Anyway...I couldn't ask for a better dad. We may have had our little disagreements but we would always hug in the end and say "I love you".  You had enough love for all your family, friends and students. The best grampa in the world too. How the kids loved their "Big Papa"  I miss that quirky smile and surprise looks on your face whenever your picture was taken. I wish I could see it again.  You are now with mom walking together hand in hand in the gardens up above. I love you dad...to the moon and back forever and ever.

We will miss you Uncle Gene. I Give you one last hug! Thanks for always listening and caring about our family. Remembering the corn boils and all the fun times together. Love You!!

We will miss your smile, your laugh and most of all your story telling. Thank you for the love and support you've shown through the years. Love you and miss you.

Unca Gene I think of you daily, I will miss you until my days end on this earth and I can see you again on the other side. I love you with all  my heart and soul and going to San Diego will just never be the same without you to visit, will I ever even be able to go back there without you, I doubt it.  I Love you Unca Gene, have fun with our heavenly family.

you will be missed but we know that you are at peace with Carol and your Mom and Dad and Roy and your memory will live on forever Rest in Peace and know we will carry you in our hearts every day 
Love 
Mick and Jackie

My grandpa. He was always genuinely interested in my life. And when you talked to him, you had his undivided attention. Something that is missing these days. I have so many memories. I was lucky. My grandpa was my best friend for many years. He took me to Monte Vista basketball and football games while I was a student at Santana. He was Andy to me, never grandpa...his request. And that was okay. Made me feel honored to call him Andy. I slipped a few times and he would laugh. He took me to his classroom one time. His students were older then me. I was so shy. He gave me suckers to pass out to the students. I sat on the stool while he lectured. Music was on. 91X. I never experienced another classroom like that. I would read the poetry from his students. He worked on that yearly book for many years. He never regretted that privilege. Occasionally he would say, read this one. He would give me a little history on the student. We could always call him and ask for help with our English assignments. He would proof read our essays. Even if he had 100 of his own to do. As a young adult we shared many of the same passions. Politics, religion, poker. The lessons I learned from him shaped my adult life. Even though my views changed as I grew older. I always knew I was wiser knowing the argument the other side would make. Poker is an important piece of my memory. I played poker for pennies at family reunions. Grandpa was the best player for many years. And we all knew why he always lost. Playing with amateurs is the worst. He would say. So unpredictable and they never follow the rules. The rules? I had a handheld poker machine. Gpa! I just drew to an inside straight and hit it. Yes, I actually called him to tell him. He never minded. We could talk for hours about poker. And for hours I would sit behind him at a local casino and watch him play. I picked up so many bad habits from him. Like playing K-2 offsuit. If you hit the King and deuce, nobody will suspect it. There are many more memories. I am surprised this thing hasn't told me I hit my maximum word allotment. The time I drove 106 MPH in his 300z. I was 14. The time we pulled off to rest on a long trip to Minnesota and a rattle snake woke us up. The house we ate pancakes in. We followed signs for miles off the freeway and it ended up someones kitchen. He was the best man at my wedding. We drove thousands of miles to get there. I could tell you a thousand stories about that trip. I had him all to myself. I was the luckiest grandchild in the world.

We will miss you Uncle Gene.  The boys still refer to you as Grampa Gene - you meant so much to them. Give everyone a hug for us!! With love, Terry and Kerry and crew

Andy, you were important to each of us before we were Jim and Cass. You were Jim's colleague, office mate, confidant. You were Cass' mentor, confidant, and CSF advisor. A few years later, you were the first to greet us as Mr. And Mrs. Fey as we came off the plane from Las Vegas.When James Collin arrived, you were one of the first to see our family grow.. You are family. We love you, miss you, and know you made us laugh, love, and appreciate all that we are and all that love.

WE love you Uncle Gene and will always treasure the time we got to spend with you!! You will live on forever in all the lives you have touched. Godspeed my dear sweet Uncle!

Our family lost some of its light the day you left us, but the bonds of love have never been stronger, it is through those bonds that you will be with us always
Rest in peace my beloved uncle

Andy was a special person in my school years and had an impact far beyond, he won't be forgotten.

OBITUARY

Lyle Eugene Andrews

November 18, 1930 – April 21, 2016

El Camino Memorial - Sorrento Valley & Memorial Park

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