Francis Joseph Byrne III, husband, father, brother and friend to many slipped the “surly bonds of earth” on January 28th, 2026.
Frank will be mourned deeply, his absence feels as if a song has ended too soon.
Frank was born in New Haven, CT on October 21, 1947, to the late Eleanor (De Wolfe) and Francis Byrne. After attending St. Rita’s in Hamden and graduating from Notre Dame High School in New Haven in 1965, Frank went on to study at Providence College. In 1970, during the Vietnam War, he was drafted into the army and trained at Fort Dix and Fort Sam Houston, serving his country with a tour in Germany as a medical lab technician until 1972. After leaving the army Frank hauled freight for UPS, before enrolling at “Interstate Tractor Trailer Training School.” He then bought his own 45 ft trailer and drove his rig around North America, with his dog Cummins, as well as friends along for the ride. Frank continued his career as a “Road Scholar” for 15 years, driving as a Teamster until 1987. During the 1970’s Frank’s entrepreneurial aspirations surfaced, and he and a friend sold handmade artisan goods, advertising their Berkshire Mountain Market in Yankee Magazine.
Frank felt incredibly lucky to have met his English wife Diana, and she felt the exact same way about encountering this Irishman. They were introduced on a blind date arranged by his friends, and between his guitar and the polyester suit it was love at first sight. By the time they were married in1984 Frank was ready for a new career, and in 1987 Greenscape of Clinton was born. They ran their company together for 32 years, starting off by mowing lawns with a tiny Sears mower and eventually building a landscape and turf management business, of which they were both very proud. Greenscape gave full expression to Frank’s ingenuity, creative spirit and commitment to dogged hard work. Many men and women worked for Greenscape over the years and were rewarded with his hands-off management style and his ability to empower people. With his easy sense of humor, he looked for the best in everyone he met and always found it.
The Byrne family moved to Clinton in 1987 and embraced the spirit and community of this beautiful shoreline town. Raising his family in Clinton was a very fulfilling part of Frank’s life and he cherished the wide range of friendships he developed along the way. He put his heart into all his commitments: from coaching soccer to serving with the Clinton Land Conservation Trust for over 25 years.
Frank was most passionate about his family. He was a very caring and devoted brother to his 3 siblings and their partners, Kathy and her husband Vic, Kevin and his wife Susan, Robert and his wife Peggy. Frank worked hard to inspire his daughters Julia and Rachel to become their best selves - and particularly nurtured their love for music and adventuring outdoors. He was a loving partner to Diana for 44 years and cherished his English family across The Pond; George, Liz, Howard, and Sue. He always stayed close to nieces and nephews as well as many cousins. Frank loved life and had a wide range of interests. After running the Boston Marathon in 1980, he later became a good skier, hiked all over the White Mountains of New Hampshire and learned to sail and kayak. On his many travels he never could pass by an informational placard, he read them all - from the Panama Canal to the Continental Divide.
Having taught himself guitar in college, Frank enjoyed playing and singing folk music for the rest of his life. He sang and played guitar for his daughters as they grew up, and he performed at both of their weddings. Music was a huge part of his personality and gave his family and friends inspiration and hours of pleasure. Frank recorded a folk album on his 70’th birthday and a children’s album a few years later. The links to listen are below.
“Frank Byrne's Old Favorites” Album- https://on.soundcloud.com/Ss2ZiupjdU0AGUoPge
“Singin’ It Loud” Children’s Album- https://on.soundcloud.com/WfVl7WBgjWzdUOvcVY
In 2019, Frank was diagnosed with Stage 4 Kidney Cancer, a challenge he met with characteristic grace and determination. He fought the odds. With the help of the gifted team at Smilow Cancer Center, and numerous other medical professionals he continued to enjoy a full and energetic life. He was thrilled to witness Julia marry Andy in Mexico and Rachel marry Hamilton in Seattle. Frank engineered one final big adventure by moving to Durango Colorado to live each winter. He welcomed his grandson Hudson into his world, a delightful and profound joy.
Frank’s family would like to offer a heartfelt thank you to every one of his old and new friends - from all facets of his life, including grade school, college, golf, work, travel and music. During the past 6 years you have provided him with solace, generous friendship, fun and happiness -as well as unwavering support.
In accordance with Frank’s wishes, no official services will be held. Donations in Frank’s memory can be made to the Clinton Land Conservation Trust https://www.clintonlandtrust.org/donate-join or to the “Closer to Free Fund” at Smilow Cancer Hospital https://givetoynhh.org/areas-to-support/closer-to-free-fund/ .
As a collective celebration of Frank’s energy, pour a cup of tea, or a local IPA, play your favorite music and allow it to fill your heart.
Frank will be mourned deeply, his absence feels as if a song has ended too soon.
Frank was born in New Haven, CT on October 21, 1947, to the late Eleanor (De Wolfe) and Francis Byrne. After attending St. Rita’s in Hamden and graduating from Notre Dame High School in New Haven in 1965, Frank went on to study at Providence College. In 1970, during the Vietnam War, he was drafted into the army and trained at Fort Dix and Fort Sam Houston, serving his country with a tour in Germany as a medical lab technician until 1972. After leaving the army Frank hauled freight for UPS, before enrolling at “Interstate Tractor Trailer Training School.” He then bought his own 45 ft trailer and drove his rig around North America, with his dog Cummins, as well as friends along for the ride. Frank continued his career as a “Road Scholar” for 15 years, driving as a Teamster until 1987. During the 1970’s Frank’s entrepreneurial aspirations surfaced, and he and a friend sold handmade artisan goods, advertising their Berkshire Mountain Market in Yankee Magazine.
Frank felt incredibly lucky to have met his English wife Diana, and she felt the exact same way about encountering this Irishman. They were introduced on a blind date arranged by his friends, and between his guitar and the polyester suit it was love at first sight. By the time they were married in1984 Frank was ready for a new career, and in 1987 Greenscape of Clinton was born. They ran their company together for 32 years, starting off by mowing lawns with a tiny Sears mower and eventually building a landscape and turf management business, of which they were both very proud. Greenscape gave full expression to Frank’s ingenuity, creative spirit and commitment to dogged hard work. Many men and women worked for Greenscape over the years and were rewarded with his hands-off management style and his ability to empower people. With his easy sense of humor, he looked for the best in everyone he met and always found it.
The Byrne family moved to Clinton in 1987 and embraced the spirit and community of this beautiful shoreline town. Raising his family in Clinton was a very fulfilling part of Frank’s life and he cherished the wide range of friendships he developed along the way. He put his heart into all his commitments: from coaching soccer to serving with the Clinton Land Conservation Trust for over 25 years.
Frank was most passionate about his family. He was a very caring and devoted brother to his 3 siblings and their partners, Kathy and her husband Vic, Kevin and his wife Susan, Robert and his wife Peggy. Frank worked hard to inspire his daughters Julia and Rachel to become their best selves - and particularly nurtured their love for music and adventuring outdoors. He was a loving partner to Diana for 44 years and cherished his English family across The Pond; George, Liz, Howard, and Sue. He always stayed close to nieces and nephews as well as many cousins. Frank loved life and had a wide range of interests. After running the Boston Marathon in 1980, he later became a good skier, hiked all over the White Mountains of New Hampshire and learned to sail and kayak. On his many travels he never could pass by an informational placard, he read them all - from the Panama Canal to the Continental Divide.
Having taught himself guitar in college, Frank enjoyed playing and singing folk music for the rest of his life. He sang and played guitar for his daughters as they grew up, and he performed at both of their weddings. Music was a huge part of his personality and gave his family and friends inspiration and hours of pleasure. Frank recorded a folk album on his 70’th birthday and a children’s album a few years later. The links to listen are below.
“Frank Byrne's Old Favorites” Album- https://on.soundcloud.com/Ss2ZiupjdU0AGUoPge
“Singin’ It Loud” Children’s Album- https://on.soundcloud.com/WfVl7WBgjWzdUOvcVY
In 2019, Frank was diagnosed with Stage 4 Kidney Cancer, a challenge he met with characteristic grace and determination. He fought the odds. With the help of the gifted team at Smilow Cancer Center, and numerous other medical professionals he continued to enjoy a full and energetic life. He was thrilled to witness Julia marry Andy in Mexico and Rachel marry Hamilton in Seattle. Frank engineered one final big adventure by moving to Durango Colorado to live each winter. He welcomed his grandson Hudson into his world, a delightful and profound joy.
Frank’s family would like to offer a heartfelt thank you to every one of his old and new friends - from all facets of his life, including grade school, college, golf, work, travel and music. During the past 6 years you have provided him with solace, generous friendship, fun and happiness -as well as unwavering support.
In accordance with Frank’s wishes, no official services will be held. Donations in Frank’s memory can be made to the Clinton Land Conservation Trust https://www.clintonlandtrust.org/donate-join or to the “Closer to Free Fund” at Smilow Cancer Hospital https://givetoynhh.org/areas-to-support/closer-to-free-fund/ .
As a collective celebration of Frank’s energy, pour a cup of tea, or a local IPA, play your favorite music and allow it to fill your heart.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Francis J. Byrne III, please visit our flower store.
Francis J. Byrne III's Guestbook
Visits: 397
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors