Submitted by Bill Norvell 1965 <w.norvell@att.net> on 24/May/2019 108.75.157.246
Thomas J. Byrne, a life long resident of Newburgh, NY passed away peacefully at his home on May 23, 2019, surrounded by his loving family.
The son of the late Leo and Sally Byrne, he was born on May 29, 1927. He grew up
in Newburgh where his father ran a luggage and leather goods store on Water
Street. He graduated from Newburgh Free Academy in 1945, and following
graduation was proud to serve in the United States Army Air Forces. After his
service, he received a Bachelors Degree from New York University, and a J.D.
from Fordham Law School, where he attended night school. He practiced law in
Newburgh for 29 years and served as Town Justice for the town of Newburgh for 21
years. He served as County Court Judge for Orange County for 12 years, presiding
over criminal cases. Following his retirement from the bench he served as a
judicial hearing officer, for civil cases. Colleagues described Tom as
compassionate, fair and objective. Upon his retirement from the Orange County
Court, he commented to a reporter: "With criminal law you're dealing every day
with the Constitution. You're dealing with our freedom. People talk about the
defendants' rights, but these are our rights – our rights. We can walk out of
here and no one can ask us where we're going. We should never take that for
granted." Tom was also a member of many professional and civic organizations. He
was especially proud to be a member of the of the American Legion Post 152 from
1946 until his death. He was a life long member of St. Patrick's Church. Tom
loved the water. He spent his youth swimming, canoeing, and skating on Orange
Lake, and as an adult he was an avid boater on the Hudson River. He had a good
sense of humor and enjoyed history. He was a man of deep faith and blessed in
many ways. He taught his children by example. They are grateful to have had a
man of such high character, honesty, bravery, and integrity as their father. He
is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary Grimm; his children, Christopher
(Ellen) of Boonton, NJ; Margaret (Michael) of San Diego, CA; Sally of Brookline,
MA; Kathleen (Bob) of Shelton, CT; Greg of Cornwall, NY; Patricia (John) of
Pleasant Valley, NY; and his sister Nancy Bury of Papillion, NE. He is also
survived by his grandchildren, Sean, Maggie, Brigid, Katharine, Maria, Sofia,
Thomas, Mary and Alice. He was predeceased by his son Joseph and his sister Mary
Elizabeth (Meb) Kretz. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28
at Brooks Funeral Home located at 481 Gidney Avenue, Newburgh, NY. A Mass of
Christian Burial will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 29 at Our Lady of the
Lake, Newburgh. Burial of cremains will be held in the family plot in Cedar Hill
Cemetery at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, the family would
appreciate masses. To send a personal condolence, please visit
www.Brooksfh.com
or call 845-561-8300. Published in Times Herald-Record from May 24 to May 25,
2019 - May 29, 1927 - May 23, 2019
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NFA Class Memorial Page
This is an Interactive Memorial Page ........ Please contribute !
Please add information you have on any alumni that have passed away....
When , where, how, obituary, & pictures if possible.
I will add a class picture and any other picture you or I may have.
If any errors are made email me and I will correct.
If you still don't feel confident.. Email the info and I will post for you. w.norvell@att.net
Thomas J. Byrne, a life long resident of Newburgh, NY passed away peacefully at his home on May 23, 2019, surrounded by his loving family.
The son of the late Leo and Sally Byrne, he was born on May 29, 1927. He grew up
in Newburgh where his father ran a luggage and leather goods store on Water
Street. He graduated from Newburgh Free Academy in 1945, and following
graduation was proud to serve in the United States Army Air Forces. After his
service, he received a Bachelors Degree from New York University, and a J.D.
from Fordham Law School, where he attended night school. He practiced law in
Newburgh for 29 years and served as Town Justice for the town of Newburgh for 21
years. He served as County Court Judge for Orange County for 12 years, presiding
over criminal cases. Following his retirement from the bench he served as a
judicial hearing officer, for civil cases. Colleagues described Tom as
compassionate, fair and objective. Upon his retirement from the Orange County
Court, he commented to a reporter: "With criminal law you're dealing every day
with the Constitution. You're dealing with our freedom. People talk about the
defendants' rights, but these are our rights – our rights. We can walk out of
here and no one can ask us where we're going. We should never take that for
granted." Tom was also a member of many professional and civic organizations. He
was especially proud to be a member of the of the American Legion Post 152 from
1946 until his death. He was a life long member of St. Patrick's Church. Tom
loved the water. He spent his youth swimming, canoeing, and skating on Orange
Lake, and as an adult he was an avid boater on the Hudson River. He had a good
sense of humor and enjoyed history. He was a man of deep faith and blessed in
many ways. He taught his children by example. They are grateful to have had a
man of such high character, honesty, bravery, and integrity as their father. He
is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary Grimm; his children, Christopher
(Ellen) of Boonton, NJ; Margaret (Michael) of San Diego, CA; Sally of Brookline,
MA; Kathleen (Bob) of Shelton, CT; Greg of Cornwall, NY; Patricia (John) of
Pleasant Valley, NY; and his sister Nancy Bury of Papillion, NE. He is also
survived by his grandchildren, Sean, Maggie, Brigid, Katharine, Maria, Sofia,
Thomas, Mary and Alice. He was predeceased by his son Joseph and his sister Mary
Elizabeth (Meb) Kretz. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28
at Brooks Funeral Home located at 481 Gidney Avenue, Newburgh, NY. A Mass of
Christian Burial will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 29 at Our Lady of the
Lake, Newburgh. Burial of cremains will be held in the family plot in Cedar Hill
Cemetery at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, the family would
appreciate masses. To send a personal condolence, please visit
