William Byrne passed away peacefully on Feb. 1, 2016. He was 93 years old.
Born in the Bronx, he was the son of the late Harry and Marie Byrne. In 1930, he moved to Larchmont, attended local schools, and graduated from Iona Prep. He was a graduate of Purdue University with a degree in mechanical engineering.
Mr. Byrne was a proud veteran of World War II, serving as an officer in the U.S. Army Air Force with the 8th Weather Squadron. He flew over 35 weather reconnaissance missions across the North Atlantic in support of forces operating in the European Theatre.
Following the war and his graduation from Purdue, Mr. Byrne worked for over four decades at the Rexnord Corporation of Milwaukee, managing East Coast sales operations of conveyor equipment to the food packaging and waste management industries.
In retirement, he was extensively involved in civic and church organizations as past board member of the Larchmont Historical Society, past-president of the Lions Club, a distinguished member of both the American Legion and the Sts. John and Paul Council of the Knights of Columbus. He was a long-time member of the Larchmont Shore Club.
In the early 2000’s, Mr. Byrne worked to preserve the Richard M. Kemper Memorial Park located near Mamaroneck High School, a park dedicated to the memory of his fellow Larchmont and Mamaroneck residents who sacrificed their lives during World War II. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Irene, of 64 years, and his five children: Christine McCarthy (Thomas) of Fairfield, William (Carol) of Oak Hill, Va., Thomas (Megan) of Old Greenwich, Jeanne Brousseau (Peter) of Feasterville, Penn., and Richard (Jennifer) of Arlington, Va., and 14 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by his brother, Msgr. Harry J. Byrne, and was pre-deceased by his brother Jeb and sister Mary Locker.
Visitation was held at Coxe & Graziano Funeral Home’s Mamaroneck location yesterday, and a Mass of Christian Burial at Sts. John and Paul Catholic Church is set for this morning, Feb. 5, at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Valhalla.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Jansen Hospice & Palliative, 670 White Plains Road, Suite 213, Scarsdale, New York 10583, which provided tender and dignified comfort up to the date of his passing.
