John Christopher Byrne Sr.

John Christopher Byrne Sr. of North Wales John Christopher Byrne, Sr., of North Wales Borough, passed away November 21, 2015, at age 84. He grew up in Dobbs Ferry, Westchester County, New York, and graduated from Dobbs Ferry High School where he excelled as a three-sport athlete. His passion for sports as a coach, player, official or fan enriched his life. At Gettysburg College he continued playing football and baseball, graduating in 1953. At Gettysburg College John met Phyllis Berger, from Lansdale, PA. They married in 1955 and have shared 60 years together. After graduating John enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. At Fort Lee, Virginia, he served in the military police and was then assigned to European Headquarters Area Command in Heidelberg, Germany, living there with Phyllis. After his army discharge, John and Phyllis moved to North Wales Borough, where they have lived for 59 years. John earned a Master’s Degree in education at Temple University in 1957. He obtained his first teaching and coaching position in the East Norriton School District, soon becoming the youngest secondary principal in Montgomery County. He moved on to North Penn Senior High School as a principal, and then became the principal of Methacton High School. He also served as president of the Montgomery County Secondary Principals’ Association and in 1984 received the Educator of the Year Award from the North Penn Chamber of Commerce, as well as their 1988 Special Community Service Award. He subsequently was an administrator at North Montco Vocational-Technical School. Following retirement he was an assistant baseball coach at Lansdale Catholic High School and worked in the District Attorney’s office of Montgomery County as a speaker on D.U.I. enforcement. Throughout the years John has been a positive influence, touching many lives as a coach, mentor and educator. Always active in the Borough of North Wales, John served on Borough Council 12 years and supported the community and North Penn area in various ways. In 2005, his dedication earned recognition by the Borough. He also gave 14 years of service on the Board of the North Wales Water Authority. John was on the board of directors of Montgomery County’s All-Star Football Game and Triangle Club. John’s love for his family was his greatest pleasure. He was a wonderful and devoted husband, father and grandfather. John was much loved by his family. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Linda Louise, in 1958. In addition to his wife, Phyllis, John is survived by daughter Susan Byrne of South Hamilton, MA and son John C. Byrne, Jr., his wife Genevieve (Liquori) and their daughters Rachel and Jamie of Bethlehem, A remembrance gathering at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 211 S. Main St., North Wales, PA is planned for Saturday, November 28 at 10:30 am. Gifts in John’s memory, if desired, are suggested to North Wales Historic Commission, North Wales Borough, 300 School St. North Wales, PA 19454 or Moravian College Blue & Grey Club/Softball c/o L.B., 1200 Main St., Bethlehem, PA 18018, both close to his heart. William R. May Funeral Home Glenside~North Wales www.mayfuneralhome.com