Obituary of Michael J. Byrne

Michael J. Byrne, 75, a teacher in the Andover, Massachusetts Public Schools for over thirty years, passed away peacefully in his home in Lakewood, NY, surrounded by loving family, on Friday, July 6, 2018. In Massachusetts, Mr. Byrne taught Latin and Russian at Andover High School, served as the part time guidance counselor at Sanborn Elementary and taught Latin at East Junior High/Doherty Middle School and West Junior High/West Middle School. During his career, Mr. Byrne served as vice president of the Andover Education Association (AEA) and also as chairman of the grievance committee, was a building rep for many years and served on several AEA bargaining teams. He was privileged to receive eight nominations from students for inclusion in Who's Who Among America's Teachers. A 1965 graduate of Syracuse University, Mr. Byrne served four years in the US Air Force Security Service stationed in northern Japan before beginning his career in Andover in 1969. He was also involved with the Greater Lowell Council of the Boy Scouts of America for over 15 years, serving as Scoutmaster of Troop 38 in Lowell and as Committee Chairman of Troop 80 in Dracut, earning the Scoutmaster Award of Merit, the National Quality Unit Award, Scouters' Key Award, District Award of Merit and the Scouters' Training Award. After his retirement in 2002, Mr. Byrne delighted in visiting, and being visited by, his children and grandchildren and traveling with his partner, touring Canada, Italy, England, Germany, the Netherlands, Hungary, Austria and the Czech Republic. He has resided in Lakewood since 2006. Mr. Byrne is survived by his three wonderful children and four amazing grandchildren: Elizabeth and her husband, JJ Cremmen and their daughters Amanda and Kelly of Lebanon ME, Charles and his wife Reid and their children Aidan and Alanna of Moseley VA and Michael and his wife Lori of Dracut MA. He is also survived by his siblings Kenneth Byrne of Hyannis, MA, Barbara Hurney and Gerald Byrne, both of Plymouth, MA and Jay Byrne of Winchester VA; as well as several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Michael is additionally survived by his cherished partner of fifteen years, Phillip Radspinner of Lakewood, NY. A Memorial Service will be held in Massachusetts at a later date to be announced.