Michael Lytell

Michael Lytell of Royal Oak, MD, lost his battle with cancer, and died Saturday April 6, 2024 at home, with his beloved wife Nancy by his side. Born September 2, 1940, in NY, Michael was the only child of Molly and Ben Lytell. He was raised in Northern NJ, and graduated Columbia HS in South Orange NJ in 1958. He received his BA from Johns Hopkins University class of 1962, where he was a proud member of the Phi Sigma Delta fraternity, and after graduation was their National Fraternity ‘s field secretary, traveling the country, visiting colleges and Universities coast to coast. Michael enlisted in the Army, was honorably discharged in 1967; then joined the Air Force Reserve where he was stationed at Suffolk Air Base on LI, and honorably discharged in 1969. Michael had a wonderful, diversified, and interesting business career. After working for Federated Dept.Stores in NYC, where he helped develop software to navigate their importing and freight forwarding needs, he left in 1968 to start his own company: Software Methods, which he sold to Allstate Investment Corp. in 1970. After an executive search, in 1971, Michael was tapped to join the gift and novelty company Russ Berrie and Co based in Oakland, NJ. He served as its Exec. VP. until 1978, when he left the company to form a new business consulting firm called Lytell Associates. In 1983, Michael founded an SBIC: First Princeton Capital Corporation; and with an investment group in 1985, formed a federally chartered bank: NorCrown Bank, based in Roseland NJ, where he served as Chairman of the Board in 1990. Michael closed Lytell Associates in the year 2000, and retired. After 21 years of living in Wayne, NJ, he and Nancy moved to the Eastern Shore of Maryland for a well deserved, peaceful, uncomplicated life of boating, reading and watching the water. Along the way, Michael kept his oldest friends close, made a myriad of new friends, traveled, and thoroughly enjoyed his life. He and Nancy (nee Johnson), would have celebrated their 51st anniversary this month. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Eileen (Ed) Duchini; brother-in-law John B. Johnson III (Nancy Sisco); nieces Colleen Schirf (Kevin) of Wilton CT and Emily Moulton (Tim) of Newport RI, and great nephews Owen and Grady Schirf and Finley and Milo Moulton. Cremation private. Donations to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, or your favorite charity, are appreciated. Visit boldentilghman.com for condolences.

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