August 26, 2022
REST IN PEACE
Joseph M. Byrne completed his final journey on this Earth to Eternity on August 26, 2022. He was the beloved husband and friend of Rita M. Byrne. Born on August 5, 1927, he is the son of the late Matthew and Katherine (Hussey) Byrne. Joe served with the U.S. Army in Company G, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry as part of the Occupational Troops following World War II. Shortly after his service, he entered the seminary and was ordained a priest in 1959. He served the church and its people for 45 years as a pastor, spiritual guide, and teacher in New Jersey, Colorado, Puerto Rico, and Florida. After twenty-two years as a member of the Franciscan order, Joe responded to the call of marriage to his wife Rita in 1971. He served the Anglican Church for 27 years at various parishes in upstate New York, including parishes in Latham, Ballston Spa, and Hudson Falls before eventually returning to his spiritual roots of Roman Catholicism and settling in the Lake George/Glens Falls region. He was especially pleased and happy with his ministry of Brother Fire, Contemplative Church, and other faith-based groups. Joe enjoyed writing, reading, swimming, watching football, and most importantly being with his family. He was a loving uncle who treated his nieces and nephews like his own children and later in life, adored their children like his own grandchildren. He loved his cousins dearly and cherished family get-togethers where extended family were all gathered.
Joe is predeceased by his wife Rita of Queensbury and Buffalo, his sister Margaret of Peekskill, and his brother Thomas of Long Beach. He is survived by his niece Sallyann (John), his nephew Thomas (Julie) and Brendan (Carly), and nieces and nephews of the Kobel, Bitterman, Higgs, and Roehmholdt families.
Uncle Joe will be remembered as a loving, spiritual man who committed his life to the service of God, his Country, and his Family and Friends.
A viewing will take place at the Macken Mortuary on Thursday, September 1 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. A mass will be celebrated at St. Agnes on September 2. Joseph will be buried at St. Mary s Cemetery in Glens Falls at 12 noon on Saturday, September 10.
Published by Macken Mortuary - Rockville on Aug. 29, 2022.