|
|
Born: November 23, 1931
Death: June 26, 2012
|
|
|
Jack ''John'' Austin Byrne
November 23, 1931 -
June 26, 2012
Send Flowers | Send Card
|
|
|
Life Legacy
BYRNE, Jack Austin “Johnny” of Wilmot, NS at the age of 80, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday June 26, 2012. Born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, he was the youngest son of the late Andrew Patrick and Agnes Hamilton (Mitchell) Byrne. John joined the RCAF in 1949 as an AC/2 Meteorological Technician. His first transfer was to RCAF Greenwood where he developed an immediate love for the Annapolis Valley, always referring to it as “Canada’s Best Kept Secret”. One of his most often used greetings was “It Is Another Great Day In The Valley!” Along with three tours in Greenwood, there were tours in Halifax, Summerside P.E.I., 4 Fighter Wing Baden-Solingen Germany, Comox B.C., Sioux Lookout, Ontario and CFB Winnipeg, Manitoba. John was “Commissioned from the Ranks” in 1965 and retired in 1987 as an Administration Officer with the rank of Lt. Colonel. An avid athlete, John enjoyed all sports. He played, coached, refereed/umpired basketball, volleyball, badminton and softball, and attended many Military National Competitions over the years. John began Curling in 1954 and the game became a winter sports priority. He served on numerous curling committees where he was stationed. Upon his retirement, John was bestowed with an Honourary Life Membership at the CFB Winnipeg Curling Club. After moving to the Annapolis valley John joined the Middleton Curling club. His team won the Nova Scotia and Maritime Masters Curling Championship in 1994. This team was later inducted into the Middleton Sports Wall of Fame. He was also a member of the Middleton team that represented Nova Scotia at the Canadian Masters Championships in 2002. John is a Past President of the Middleton Curling Club. The Royal Canadian Legion was a big part of John’s life. As a competitor in the Dominion Royal Canadian Legion Seniors curling championships, John represented Manitoba in 1984 and was a member of Team Nova Scotia out of his home Legion Branch 98 in Kingston in 1988, 1990, 1991 and 1995. He had a great respect for the work being undertaken by the Legion on behalf of our veterans. He became actively involved on the Executive and various committees, serving as the Branch President in 1999 and 2000. He was also the recipient of an Honorary Life Membership. John thoroughly enjoyed his retirement years, often stating there are “Never Enough Hours In The Day.” He pursued the game of golf, became a knowledgeable gardener and traveled. His happiest times were spent with friends and family of which he was extremely proud. His sincere “always willing to help,” easy going personality won him many friendships over the years that he valued deeply. John will be sadly missed by his wife of 58 years, Joan (Cooper) Byrne; his three loving children,Tim Byrne and his wife Susan Creasy of Inverary,ON, Nancy Byrne-Coakley and her fiance Ken Fleming of Trenton, ON and Miriam Byrne of Victoria, BC. John is survived by his sister Louise Logan, New Westminster, BC; brother, Marvin (Mary) Byrne, Prince Albert, SK; grandchildren Justin Coakley, Joel Coakley and James Cyr and faithful Boston Terrier "Crusoe." Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers, Doug, Earl, Patrick, Gavin, sister Sheila and brother-in-law, Bill Logan and in-laws Richard and Wynn Cooper. For those who desire, memorial donations may be made to the National Pancreatic Cancer Canada Foundation or your charity of choice. A memorial service will take place Tuesday, July 3rd at 2 pm at the Middleton Funeral Home, 398 Main Street, Middleton, NS (902) 825-3448. Online guest book may be signed by visiting: www.middletonfuneralhome.com
|
|
|
