Sean B. Byrne

Sean Brendan Byrne, Sr., 83, of Manchester, died peacefully at home with his beloved wife, Mary of 49 years and his children by his side on March 19, 2011, after a long battle with respiratory illness. Born in Rathangan, County Kildare, Ireland, to the late Patrick and Margaret (Hoar) Byrne, he is predeceased by his brothers, Jim, P.J., and Tommy, and sisters, Bridie and Nora. Sean immigrated to the United States in 1948, where he took his first job as a mechanic at Taber Cadillac in Hartford, CT. From 1950 to 1952, he served in the U.S. Army, where he was stationed in Newfoundland during the Korean War, and worked on amphibious vehicles. Following his service time, Sean opened up several garages in the Hartford area. In 1996, he retired from the Metropolitan District Commission after providing 31 years of dedicated service as a mechanic and land surveyor. Sean will be remembered for his love of singing and dancing and his devotion to his wife and family. During his life, he was a member of the Irish American Home, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Manchester St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, and the Assumption Church choir. In 2002 , he was selected to be the Grand Marshall of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Hartford. Sean was an avid supporter of the Hartford Gaelic Football Club and East Catholic sports. He was also lucky enough to witness two world championships by his beloved Boston Red Sox. Sean is survived by his wife and best friend, Mary, his three sons, Sean Byrne, Jr. of New York, and his wife, Eileen, Kevin Byrne of Connecticut, and his wife, Lori, Stephen Byrne of Connecticut, and his wife, Joann, and his three daughters, Susan Logan of Connecticut, and her husband, Brian, Eileen Kennedy of Connecticut, and her husband, Bobby, and Nancy O’Connor of Massachusetts, and her husband, Michael, thirteen wonderful grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind three brothers, Joseph Byrne of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Michael Byrne of Connecticut, and his wife, Maureen, and Morris Byrne of County Kildare, Ireland, four sisters, Mary Hollay of Connecticut, and her husband, Joe, Eileen Gordon and Cecelia Carroll of County Kildare, Ireland, and Nuala Heffernan of County Limerick, Ireland, and her husband, Eddie, and his brother-in-law, Patrick Leyden of Connecticut, and his wife Maureen. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Thursday, March 24, at 11 a.m. at the Church of the Assumption, 29 South Adams Street, Manchester. Everyone is asked to go directly to the church. Burial will follow at the St. James Cemetery, Manchester with full military honors. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, March 23, at the Taylor & Modeen Funeral Home, 136 South Main Street, West Hartford, from 4 – 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Assumption School Development Fund Campaign or the Irish American Home Scholarship Fund. For online condolences and directions, please visit www.taylorandmodeen.com.

Sean B. Byrne

March 28, 1927 - March 19, 2011