"Mr. and Mrs. B. have been like grandparents to our kids and family. I will miss talking with him about his story and learning about history through his eyes. I will also miss watching him put together his puzzles. Our prayers are with all of the family and especially Helen as they navigate the days ahead. Blessings, The Bert Family"
In loving memory of
Thomas F. Byrne, Jr.
July 29, 1926 - February 18, 2020
Thomas F. "Tom" Byrne, Jr., age 93 of Ambler PA, died peacefully on Tuesday, February 18, 2020, in the Abington Hospice, Warminster, PA.
Born in Philadelphia, PA, he was the son of the late Thomas and Anna (nee Downing) Byrne, Sr. He was preceded in death by his sister Dolores E. Kinney formerly of California.
Tom served the United States Army in Germany during WW2 and as an Investigating Sergeant from 1944 to 1949.
He attended Temple University and was a Plant Engineer employed by Precision Tube in North Wales, PA, for 43 years before retiring in 1994.
Tom married the love of his life on June 7, 1952, Helen E. (nee Grimes) Byrne.
In addition to his wife of 67 years, Tom is survived by his devoted children Thomas F. Byrne and his wife Patricia of Morrisville, PA; Karen A. Pavlik and her husband Edward of Gilbertsville, PA; and Eileen M. Byrne of North Wales, PA. Tom is the loving grandfather of Brian Byrne (Becky), Erin Allegretto (Lou), Lauren Shelton (Jon), Edward Pavlik, Jessica Pavlik, and Sean Pavlik and great grandfather of Gabriel Allegretto, Liam Byrne, Fallon Allegretto, Hope Allegretto, and Katrianna Byrne.
Mr. Byrne, Jr. was a life member of the Wissahickon Fire Company which he joined in 1972. He served as Past President, Treasurer, Firefighter, Driver Operator, and was the Social Club Manager and Bookkeeper. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 10 of Fort Washington and parishioner of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Ambler.
He enjoyed his family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and longtime neighbor friends. They traveled across the Continental US and Hawaii, also visiting Ireland and Germany. Mom and Dad enjoyed the Phillies. Winter trips to Florida for Spring Training and often attended games during their many trips across the US. Dad really enjoyed driving trips. He was an avid reader and enjoyed the challenge of large scale puzzles.
Relatives and friends are invited to call from 9:15 to 10:45 AM on Saturday, February 29, 2020, at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 259 Forest Ave., Ambler, PA, followed by an 11:00 AM Funeral Mass with Pastor Msgr. Stephen P. McHenry as Celebrant. Interment will be private.
The family would appreciate remembrance donations in his name to St. Anthony of Padua Church, 259 Forest Ave., Ambler, PA 19002.
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Tributes
" The first time I remember hearing the name Thomas Byrne was in the year 2000. My father had just gotten off the phone with Aunt Claire and had told her twice that he couldn?t do it. He had cataracts in both eyes and a bad heart. He told me that she was calling Tom Byrne. Dad asked me, if she called back, if I would drive her to Temple Hospital. It was after 8:30 p.m. and I must have said something in the affirmative before going to bed. Dad stayed in the living room to be near the phone. I had an uninterrupted sleep. Since then I have never once heard or asked Tom just what it was like to travel over 18 miles of secondary roads on a dark and cold September night in order to find a certain hospital building in North Philly, that had a certain room in it, so that a mother could identify the body of her only child. If everything went as envisioned, they might have returned by maybe 1 a.m. In the Spring of 2001, I was sent to deliver a package at Frank and Claire?s new apartment in a nursing home. Everyone was sitting down on the furniture, that was all well placed, except for this one guy. He said he was checking for the location of the aluminum wall studs using a thin nail and hammer. That was Tom doing a task that takes a lot of patience and concentration. The next time I was at the apartment there were heavy items on shelves hanging on that wall. What can I say, Tom did things that needed doing. He didn?t brag much and didn?t get many pats on the back afterward. "
"Cousin Tom was a good and kindly person and, it seems to me, remarkably modest. I remember how much he and Helen did for Uncle Frank and Aunt Claire in their last days, but they never acted as if that was anything unusual. Tom's parents, my Uncle Tom and Aunt Ann (we didn't call her Anna), would visit us in Ventnor, sometimes with "young Tom" and Dolores, and they were always welcome. Tom was a integral part of his immediate family, of course, but also of our large extended clan. He will live on in the generations following. "
"Cousin Tom, and dear Helen, visited Cincinnati to see the Reds play against the Phillies. Before they came, they contacted me that they would be in my area. It was pure delight talking with them over dinner before the game. My husband and I enjoyed hearing about their trips to fulfill the goal of visiting all stadiums where the Phillies play 'away' games. Their love for their children, and for each other, was palpable. Love. That is what stays with me."
"To the Byrne Family. I am very sorry to hear about your dad. The words you provided were very true as I knew Mr. Byrne. He was a pleasant man who was also very welcoming. He was very calm and very knowledge about so many things. He was very blessed to have such a wonderful marriage and to be able to travel and enjoy a good retirement. Eileen said he would have the map out planning the routes. I admired a shelf Eileen had in her home and your dad actually made me one too!! Such a sweet and devoted family man. I know he will ge greatly missed my many. My condolenses to all of your family members. Connie P"
"My sweet father-in-law was a humble man who loved his family & put them above everything else in his life. I?ll miss our talks about his life, past & present. He knew how to fix anything & was sharp until the day we lost him. Rest In Peace, Pop. I will miss you. "
"Uncle Tommy was a sweetheart and will be greatly missed by anyone who knew him... especially his family. Rest in peace??"
"Uncle Tommy was a wonderful man. I enjoyed spending time with him and Aunt Helen. All the times I?ve been there my time with them was wonderful. I enjoyed watching an Amercian love story. My Aunt Helen & Uncle Tommy are two of my favorite people. Love them both with all my heart????????"
"Well my best memory of Mr. Byrne is every time i was in his presence i always called him either Mr Byrne or Mr. B. and he would look at me and say I?m Tom and give his big smile. God Bless the entire Byrne Family ! "
"We were very sad to hear about Mr. Byrne passing. He could always make us smile, and we will miss his cheerful nature. The entire Byrne family is in our thoughts and prayers - especially our Dear Helen. With Love, Kathy (Fallon) and Ron Custer, Sea Isle City, NJ"