Dominic Byrne

Dominic Byrne, died Friday, Jan. 30, 2015, at age 92. A native of Castlerea, Co. Roscommon, Ireland, he was the son of the late Michael and Mary (Cruise) Byrne. He was the husband of Elizabeth Lil (Roche) Byrne, a native of Co. Mayo, Ireland, who predeceased him in 1993. Dominic left Ireland in 1948 at the age of 26. He had previously been employed at Claffeys Draperies, a mens clothing store in Castlerea before traveling to New York to join his three brothers and begin a new chapter in his life. He and his wife Lil were the proprietors of the Foster Ave Liquor Store in Brooklyn for a number of years. He later established a popular limousine service and transported a number of dignitaries including Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newman. All were enchanted by his Irish wit and warm winning personality, coupled with his rich Irish brogue and inherent charms. He frequently journeyed home to Ireland to visit his family and friends. Dominic also often traveled to the greater Brockton area to see his many cousins, the Cruise, Sheehan, Cunnane, McNamara, and Kennedy families. A longstanding member of the NY Co. Roscommon Society, he attended many of their social events and proudly marched in both the Brooklyn and Manhattan St. Patricks Day Parades. A vibrant and energetic man who belied his age, with youthful exuberance, at age 88, he accompanied his cousin Mass. State Senator Tom Kennedy in the 2010 Manhattan St. Patricks Day Parade. Dominic is survived by his devoted daughter, Mary Bridget and her husband Robert Alfano of Staten Island; his son, Thomas Byrne and wife Olga; and grandson, Cesar of Morris Palins, N.J.; his beloved sister, Margaret (Byrne) Moore of Dublin, Ireland, who recently celebrated her 100th birthday; and a sister-in-law, Mary Byrne of Newtown, Pa.; as well as a number of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews in Ireland, U.K., and the U.S. He was the brother of the late Atty. John, Michael, James, Thomas, and Nellie Byrne. He was a proud Irishman and held a lifelong devotion to his Catholic faith. A daily communicant for many years at his local parish church, Holy Name of Jesus, Prospect Park West, Brooklyn, where his funeral Mass was celebrated Wednesday, Feb. 4. Interment was in the family lot at Resurrection Cemetery, Staten Island, N.Y.