Edward Thomas Byrne
May 19, 1932 – January 25, 2011
Edward Thomas Byrne was born on May 19, 1932 in Detroit, Michigan to Thomas and Margaret Byrne. He was the youngest of five children. “Tom” graduated from Western Michigan University in 1959 with a BA in business. On January 27, 1957 Tom and Phyllis Lichty were married. In 1959 they moved from Michigan to Spokane, Washington for a year. From Spokane they moved to North Seattle and eventually settled in Kirkland, Washington where they greeted their two children, Laura, born in 1964 and Nancy, born in 1966.
Tom sold insurance for years before starting a career as a buyer at Boeing. He retired from Boeing in the 1990’s and moved to Port Angeles where he enjoyed a quieter lifestyle. Tom enjoyed living out there until health problems caused him to move back to the Seattle area.
Tom was an accomplished clarinetist and saxophonist and played with several bands throughout the years. He also loved watching football and could tell you anything about any college team!
He was a wonderful father and grandfather and enjoyed going to his grandkids’ events and being involved in his daughters’ lives.
At the Ball Park
He is survived by his daughter Laura and her children, Taylor and Kyle, and by his daughter Nancy (Brian) and their children, Ishta, Benjamin, Dylan and Jack, along with his brother Joe Sr. and many nephews and nieces. He will be greatly missed by all of his family.
On February 21, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. a memorial service will be held at Tahoma National Cemetery located at 18600 SE 240th St, Kent, WA 98042.
Following the service a celebration of life will be held at Lake Forest Park Civic Club, located at 17301 Beach Drive NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155.
All are welcome to attend.
15 Responses to “Edward Thomas Byrne”
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hi laura and nancy–thank you for sending the link. we so enjoyed the pictures!! i know how much you and your children meant to him. he spoke so proudly of all of you when he visited. it is so difficult to lose such a vibrant wonderful person but i (we) just feel he deserves the happiness and peace that the other side brings. with our faith, i think we can rest easily, knowing he is up there with the best. he was always inspiritional and his attitude and zest for living will live on!! With love, kathy and steve barry
Laura and Nancy
Thanks for sending the great pictures! He was an exceptional man. I know he is at peace and free from all pain.
Its be a long time since I have seen you and your dad, but the times we were together were wonderful. Your father was a great and very kind man. I am sure he will be missed very much.
Laura and Nacy, What a wonderful tribute to such a deserving man. He was loved by many and his legacy shall live on. May you find peace in his peace. Sincerely, Shirley Anne, Kathryn & Mary
Laura and Nancy, What a wonderful tribute to such a deserving man. He was loved by many and his legacy shall live on. May you find peace in his peace. Sincerely, Shirley Anne, Kathryn and Mary
Nancy you have a beautiful family. Your Dad was a great man who will be missed. We need more kind people like him in the world. I will be thinking about you on the 21st and I will say a prayer for him. I am sorry I can not attend.
Your cousin Jim Oreilly
Very nice tribute for your father. I am sorry I never got to hear his music. He was always so cheerful at your family celebrations, and I know he will be missed.
Nancy & Laura, Your Dad was such a wonderful man with such a positive outlook on life. What a fine example for us all to remember. He is at peace and celebrating with his loving family that has past before him. What a celebration they are having – you can almost hear the violin, sax, piano and singing, lots of singing. He will be missed for sure. I am so sorry that we will not be able to make it to the memorial service, but please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.
God Bless You all, Claudia, Allen & Marissa Buehler
Thinking of you, Laura & Nancy at this time of great loss. I will remember my Uncle Tom with love. He was a great man who lived his life and its challenges with such humbleness. Eternal rest grant unto him. Sincerely, Mary, Mike, Andrew & David
I met Mr. Byrne when I was about six years old. His daughter, Laura, is to this day my best friend. I can cannot recall one time that I was not greeted by Mr. Byrne with a big smile and an enthusiastic, “Hello, sweetie, how ya doing…he was always so kind, so postive and someone you could always count on to make you feel special. I had the opportunity to visit with him the last couple of years and I treasured getting to really know him and hear stories about his life. He sure loved and appreciated his siblings and his nieces and nephews…he talked about them all the time to me. Of course Laura and Nancy and their families were his greatest joy in life and he told me how blessed he was to be their Dad…I miss him. Thank you Lord for allowing me to know Mr. Byrne…what a gift!
A great and inspiring brother who was loved by all!
How lucky we all are for having Uncle Tom in our lives. God puts people in our lives to teach us to appreciate all that we have. Uncle Tom was one of those people. Years would pass in between the times we were able to be with him both in Kalamazoo and Seattle. We could start right where we left off the last time we were together and he would grace us with his positive, caring, unselfish and happy disposition. He might not have been able to walk without aids but he could out run you in smiles and happiness. He might not have been able to climb stairs but he reached heights making beautiful and joyful music that was so important to him and made people smile. He might not have been able to climb mountains but oozed with pride while driving you through the land that he had grown to love. He is at peace now and free of braces, crutches and pain that he never outwardly expressed. Peace and Grace Laura and Nancy. Your Dad will always have a place in our hearts! Patty, Joe, Anne and Joseph
Laura and Nancy, I remember being at your dad & mom’s wedding on that January day in Battle Creek, MI. Although our two families, the Byrne’s and the Bezy’s lived the farthest apart we were the closest growing up. We ha and still have that special bond. Your dad was always so positive and had such a great smile and played music and regaled us all with stories of the Coast Guard and the icebergs in the North Atlantic near Labrador. When I was on my way to Vietnam the opportunity to stop and visit came up and I seized it. Your dad and mom made me feel welcome. I will never forget holding a tiny baby named Nancy in my arms and thinking that someday I will be a dad. When I returned from Vietnam a year later, I visited again and went to visit the Cascade mountains for the first time with your dad. I will always remember the times both of you girls (women)visited Detroit with your dad.
James Michael (Mike) and Christine Bezy
Laura & Nancy
Toms been a part of my life for the last few years,and I’ve always admired his courage and strength.
Hes been a wonderful friend.
I’ll miss him deeply.
Just know your Dad was loved And admired by alot of people.
Anita
Nancy & Laura,you and your family have been on my mind so much lately. I know how hard it is to lose your dad, however, we all know he went straight to heaven and has joined the rest of the clan! The Bezy’s, Byrne’s and O’Reilly’s were always close and had so much fun together! I remember your mom & dad’s wedding as a child and also meeting you girls on your visits to Kalamazoo and Detroit. Your Dad was loved so much by so many people. He brought joy with his laughter and his music and listening to his adventure tales of his days in service. He faced his challenges head on and never felt sorry for himself. My mom and dad loved him so much and after dad died, mom was always so happy to hear from her brother and to share the news of his life in Washingtion with all those he loved. You girls and your children brought so much happiness to your dad, it could not be measured, if you tried. God Bless each and every one of you and may your dad’s soul finally rest in peace in the loving arms of our Lord Jesus. Love always,
Your cousin Peg and Geoff Sass.