Deacon John E. Byrne (1934-2024)

Deacon John E. Byrne, file photo.

     John Edward Byrne, 90, of Spokane, Washington passed away on September 11th after a long and fulfilling life.

       John was born February 11, 1934, in Johnstown, County Wicklow, Ireland to John and Rose Byrne. He was the second of 10 children. John graduated from the National University of Ireland in 1958 and shortly after emigrated to accept a position teaching physics at Gonzaga University in Spokane.  

       John married the love of his life, Connie, in 1965. They spent their first married years in The Bronx, New York where John earned his Masters and Doctorate degrees at Fordham University.  In 1968 his family was completed with the birth of his daughter, Nona.

       After completing his Fordham education, he returned to Spokane and resumed his almost 40-year career at Gonzaga. During his tenure he held various positions including Chair of the Physics Department and Dean of the Graduate School.  In 2005 he was bestowed with the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws.   

John was a faithful Catholic and longtime member of Our Lady of Fatima parish. In 1978, he was ordained as one of the first Permanent Deacons for the Catholic Diocese of Spokane where he faithfully served until his retirement in 2018. As Deacon, he held a number of leadership roles including Director of Deacons for the Catholic Diocese of Spokane and on the Deacon Formation Committee. 

       John loved to travel and enjoyed many adventures throughout the United States, Europe, and Canada however his fondest trips were the ones back to his homeland.

       He was a devoted family man; a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. 

       John was predeceased by his parents John and Rose, his wife Connie, his brothers Seamus, Brian, Derry, Pat, and Kevin, and his sisters Ita, Roisin, and Betty.

       He is survived by his daughter Nona Byrne, grandchildren Nicholas Black, Caitlin Black (Ray White), Ryan Black, Madison Stoltz (Logan) and Braeden Brown; great-grandchildren Ellie, Caileigh, and Silas White; sister Maria Kerr and countless in-laws, nephews, and nieces.

The Funeral Mass for Deacon John Byrne will be Thursday, September 19, at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Church: 3327 S Perry St, Spokane, WA 99203