Obituary of Richard J. “Rich” Byrne

Richard J. Byrne Sr. Denville, 63 Richard J. Byrne Sr. Rich died Saturday August 19, 2006 at home surrounded by his loving family and friends after a short battle with lung cancer. He was 63. He was born in Hoboken, NJ on May 25, 1943 and lived in Lake Hiawatha before moving into Denville in 1979. He was a parishioner at St. Peter the Apostle Church in Parsippany, NJ. Ever the Patriotic citizen, he volunteered his service to the Army, where he served in Vietnam, in Cam Rahn Bay, with the 128th Signal Company fro 1965- 1966. He was a police officer with the Erie Lackawanna Railroad, and later with Conrail. After 13 years he left the police department and continued working with the Railroad as an Electrical Foreman for a total of 32 years. He retired from NJ Transit in January 2006. Richard was a CCD teacher at St. Marys Church, Denville and more recently at St. Peters the Apostle Church, Parsippany. He taught children 23 years and loved every minute of it. In addition to teaching he was a Eucharistic Minister and a member of the St. Peters Adoration Society. His hobbies included Amateur Radio; his call sign was N2UKB. He incorporated his hobby into serving with US Army MARS program. He was a member Knights of Columbus, Council 3359. He was a past Lieutant with the Hoboken Auxiliary Fire Department and Denville Fire Department. He was an avid Yankees fan, who idolized Mickey Mantle. He was full of humor and had more jokes and one-liners than a joke book. People knew him wherever he went. Richie was a very special man, who was loved by all. He will be deeply missed by all who were blessed to have him in their lives. Our Lives are filled with wonderful memories of him. He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Jo Byrne, his children Michele and her husband Bob Velotti of Landing, Richard and his wife Kathy of Succasunna and his daughter Cathy Byrne of Succasunna. He was a loving Pop-Pop to his six grandchildren who he adored; Kaitlin, Lauren, Meagan, Nathan, Anthony, and Deanna. His brother Robert Byrne of Long Beach, NY, his sister, Kay Caldera of Hague, NY and many nieces and nephews and countless numbers of friends whom he loved like family, also survives him. His mother Margaret and father Hugh, two brothers, Ray and Donnie and sister Patsy predeceased him. Funeral from the Norman Dean Home for Services 16 Righter Avenue, Denville, NJ www.normandean.com on Thursday August 24th at 8:30 a.m. for a 10:00 a.m. Liturgy of Christian Burial Service at St. Peter the Apostle Church Parsippany, NJ. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery East Hanover, NJ. Relatives and Friends will be received on Tuesday August 22nd 7-9p.m. and Wednesday August 23rd from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in his name to Carol G. Simon Cancer Center 100 Madison Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07962 or the St Judes Children Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942 would be appreciated.