Jim always put others first
THE SAD passing of 86-yearold Jim Byrne, of Kennedy Park, Wexford town, occurred on April 2.
The father-of-two was laid to rest in Crosstown Cemetery after Funeral Mass at Clonard Church. He is survived by his wife Doris, his daughter Meda and son Mark, extended family, relatives and friends.
Jim was a colleague, a friend, a son, an uncle, a brother, a brother-in-law, a grandfather, a father-in-law, a father, and a husband. In each one of these relationships, Jim put the needs of others ahead of his own. This selflessness was a quality that he portrayed throughout his life.
Jim was a true gentleman; he epitomised the meaning of the word. He was a chivalrous, courteous and honourable man. His politeness and kindness was not just bound to the family home, but extended out to everyone he encountered during his life. He was a man who took pride in his appearance and would be immaculately turned out no matter what the occasion, be it a trip to Pettitt’s or for lunch in Whitford; he never missed the opportunity to look his best.
Jim loved to be active and maintain a healthy lifestyle. He loved travelling to Spain to spend time with his in-laws Steve and Helena, and enjoyed swimming in their pool at all hours of the day.
In his early years, he was a talented handballer and hurler in Tinahely, County Wicklow, where he hailed from. In his later years, he took to golf and played regularly in Rathaspeck with the Captain’s Prize being his biggest win. After his golfing days, Jim loved to keep active in any way he could, from cutting the grass with a push mower or using the kitchen counter for push-ups, often to his wife Doris’s chagrin!
He and Doris regularly braved the cold waters of Curracloe together, from May to September and sometimes even later into the year.
Everyone was always made welcome in Kennedy Park with a smile, open arms and the odd bad joke. Jim took great interest in everything his family, and particularly his grandchildren, were doing and was a constant source of encouragement with ‘That’s the style of it’ often uttered. For his grandchildren, Jim was a wonderful source of income as pocket money was always given on every visit!
He had four grandchildren: Bebhinn, Holly, Lana, and Captain Ciaran Carey, who gave the eulogy at Jim’s funeral mass.
Jim was a loving and caring father to Meda and Mark, working hard throughout his life to provide for and protect his children. He ruled the family home in a firm but fair manner, and always with the best interests of his family at heart, even when they did not believe that at the time! Jim’s values and rearing are reflected in his children and his pride in the people they grew up to be.
Jim was a brother to Bridie, Jane and Kevin; an uncle to June, Martina, Edel, Justin, Denise, Sandra, Shirley, Andrew and Lloyd; a father-in-law to Gwen; a friend to Meda’s partner Odran; a brother-in-law to Paddy and Ann Lacey, Helena King, the late Liam Doyle, and the late Paddy Hannon.
Jim’s most important and proudest role was as a husband to Doris. He loved his family and friends but, most of all, he loved his Doris. They were married for 57 years and spent just 40 days apart, and never longer than a week at a time. Jim’s love for Doris was true and deep from the moment he met her. Their bond and love for each other will never end and Jim was at his happiest and most content while in her company. He, fittingly, spent his last few moments alone with her.
Jim will be dearly missed by all of his family and friends. He will be forever loved and never forgotten.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-ainm dhílis.