Obituary of Francis A. Byrne Jr.

Francis Aloysius Byrne, Jr., 92, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on April 7, 2023, (Good Friday) in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Born October 23, 1930 in Somerville, New Jersey, Frank was a lifelong teacher, dedicated worker, and devoted family man, known for his kindness, intelligence and good humor.

Frank is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Patricia R. Byrne, and their 6 children - Michael (Alyn York), Eileen Quill (Fergus), Jim, Frank, Steve (Lisa), and Monica Di Costanzo (Ralph) - as well as 11 grandchildren, (Carolyn, Julia, Mikey, John, Paul, Niamh, Cameron, Alexander, Ryan, Kyle, Laura); 3 great-grandchildren (Raelynn, Maisy & Connor), numerous nieces & nephews; his sister-in-law, Eileen Maloy; and brother-in law, Bernard Nee. He was predeceased by his 5 sisters, Odette Nee, Ellen Canlon, Loretta McGinn, Mary Jane, and Connie; as well as, brothers-in-law, Tom McGinn and Roy Canlon.

An alumnus of St. Peter's High School on Staten Island, Frank earned an engineering degree from Columbia University while raising a family and working a full-time job as NYC Building Inspector. He later enjoyed a diverse corporate career spanning various roles at Liberty Mutual Insurance, Nabisco Companies and Frank B. Hall. Notably, he served as the National Director of Safety & Environmental Affairs at The Singer Company. These significant roles required travel across the USA and his impact was very consistent with his local life - he was incredibly good at his job - but his lasting impact was making people in our country feel good about themselves. He had a God given gift that was with him throughout his life on this earth that touched everyone who he met including with the incredible healthcare providers who helped shepherd him to Heaven in recent months. You would have a hard time finding a person on Earth who had a bad word to say about Frank and he would forgive them if they did.

Frank proudly served in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany during the Korean War, and his love for sports was evident throughout his life. He played basketball and baseball as a young man and later became an avid golfer. Frank was an avid Brooklyn Dodgers fan, and his sons Mike & Steve continuously debated if he became a Mets or Yankees fan. We now understand he loved both teams or more likely, both of his obnoxiously competitive kids.

Active in his community and church, Frank was a member of the OLGC Holy Name Society, Warren Jaques Committee, and was involved in the Milford, CT Community Garden. Known for his ease in front of a crowd and ability to lift spirits, Frank and Patricia were wed in 1955 in Staten Island where they lived together for almost 25 years before moving to Milford, CT and later to The Watermark in Bridgeport, CT. They enjoyed many cruise vacations together with friends and family throughout their marriage and annually hosted the Byrne Family Christmas, as well as epic Summer picnic parties at their 1155 Clove Road home, on Staten Island in the 1960s & 1970s, where his brothers-in-law, Tom & Roy would famously hang upwards of 100 neckties from a tree the night before for a laugh. In 1985, the best party of all time - their 30th surprise wedding anniversary event that rocked the Sunnyside neighborhood - took place at that same venue with family and friends from Staten Island and CT coming together.

Frank's gentle soul, kindness, and unwavering love for his family will be deeply missed by all who knew him. His memory will live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to share in his life's journey.

Please join the family in celebrating Frank's life on Sunday, April 16, 2023 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. at the Lesko & Polke Funeral Home, 1209 Post Road, Fairfield, CT 06824. A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, April 17, at 10:30 a.m. at the Watermark Auditorium (3030 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT), followed by private interment at Mountain Grove of Easton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Kidsave (https://www.kidsave.org).

For travel directions or to sign his online guest register, please visit www.LeskoPolkeFuneralHome.com