Thomas P Byrne, Esquire

THOMAS P. BYRNE, ESQUIRE On December 29, 2016, Thomas P. Byrne Esquire passed away peacefully. He was the beloved husband of Pamela Byrne. The son of the late Nora and Thomas Byrne, he was born on May 7, 1930 in Hartford Connecticut. He lived for many years in West Hartford and then Avon Connecticut before making his retirement home with Pamela in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. A graduate of Fairfield University and Boston College School of Law, Thomas was twice elected to the State House of Representatives where he represented the town of West Hartford. It was while serving as legal counsel for this town that he was introduced to a field of law that would become the focus of his legal career – zoning law. He was one of the first lawyers in Connecticut to specialize in this area of law which controls how land can be used. He became generally recognized as the 'Dean of Zoning' and his professional advice was valued by cities and towns throughout the state. As the long standing executive director of the Connecticut Federation of Planning & Zoning Agencies, he helped shape the development of zoning law by writing zoning regulations for many municipalities and by presenting testimony and recommendations to the State Legislature. He was well respected by members of his profession which was best evidenced by a Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Award which honored him with the highest rating in legal ability and ethical standards as rated by his colleagues. He was a long standing member of the Country Club of Farmington and the Avon Country Club and a member of Saint Patrick's Church in Farmington. Through his actions in life, Thomas taught that devotion to family and work must also include time to worship and relax so that a proper balance is maintained in life. Thomas was predeceased by his first wife Shirley and by his younger brother John (Jack) Byrne. Among his survivors are his daughter Catherine and her son Michael, son Thomas and his son Tommy, son James and his wife Linda and daughter Rachel, son Steven and his wife Sharon and daughters Nicole, Katelyn and Emily, his niece Jaquelin Lessman and the wife of his late brother, Patricia Byrne. In addition to a private funeral service in Florida, a memorial service will be held at St. Patrick's Church in Farmington CT on Tuesday, January 10, 2017 beginning at 7:00 p.m. with a reception to follow. Friends are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be given to Greater Hartford Legal Aid or a charity of the donor's choice

Thomas P Byrne, Esquire

May 7, 1930 - December 29, 2016