Byron M. Deane

Byron M. Deane, Jr., 83, died Friday, May 9, 2025, after a period of declining health. He leaves his wife of 60 years, Louise (Bardon) Deane, two sons: Byron "Mickey" Deane III and his wife Danielle, of Spencer; Gregory B. Deane, of Wells, ME; a daughter Jennifer L. Belanger and her husband Derek, of Whitinsville; and three grandchildren: Hunter, Haley and Benjamin Deane, and two step-granddaughters, Hannah and Kaylee Belanger.
Byron graduated from Northbridge High School in 1961 and soon thereafter enlisted in the US Military, serving with the Navy on a submarine and then later aboard a radio boat where he discovered his love for electronics. Following his discharge from the Navy in 1966, he worked for several local Electronics firms, such as Alden Electronics and Data General, eventually starting his own company, Muir Test Systems, that he founded with two of his Data General colleagues. He primarily worked as a technical draftsman designing housings and Printed Circuit Boards for a variety of electronic components.
After leaving the corporate world in 1999, he invested in some real estate property in the "Village" section of Whitinsville, where he was able to spend time renovating and remodeling his apartments. Byron was very skilled working with his hands, and he developed a passion for many DIY hobbies, like gardening, woodworking, carpentry and customizing cars and motorcycles. He spent time hanging around local auto repair shops during retirement to stay busy. His family will tell you he may have taken on too many, and took longer than most to finish projects, but he was very meticulous and enjoyed the results of his efforts.
Ever since his high school days, Byron was a "Greaser" at heart. He loved to work on cars and bikes and almost every vehicle he owned had to be "tricked out" in some way. He spent many years rebuilding a 1950 Ford Club Coupe, which later became known as the Pumpkin, due to its bright orange paint job. He also dedicated more than seven years to customizing his 1982 Harley Davidson Electra Glide, which also donned the bright color of orange.
Sadly, his health declined, and, except for a few short rides, he wasn't able to continue riding his latest two-wheeled creation. But Byron loved the open air and being on a bike, so he added a Harley Trike to his collection, a 2013 Electra Glide. Locals may have seen Byron and Louise cruising around town on the sparkly blue Harley trike or heading off cross-country with trike trailer in tow to discover American treasures on the open road.
Byron was a man of very few words when it came to expressing his fondness and love for family. He displayed his love and caring with his actions, always being there to support his family, especially his children and grandchildren, in any way possible. Unfortunately, Byron possessed almost no athletic skills whatsoever, but that didn't stop him from volunteering as a Little League and Babe Ruth Baseball coach to help coach teams during his two sons' youth baseball careers. He went on to become a board member, and eventually an officer, of the Rockdale Little League board, leading the effort to bring lights and the first evening games to the Rockdale Legion fields. He also loved going to watch his sons and grandsons play sports, often trying his best to video tape their events for them.
Outside of family, those that really knew Byron from his days bouncing between local watering holes, like the Gray Barn, Olague's, Checkmate, and Progressive Club, probably knew him to be a royal Wise-Ass. He loved to laugh and poke fun at people, but Byron would always say that he only teases the ones that he loves, and he truly loved all of his local friends that shared a stool and a cold wobbly-pop with him. He missed them dearly over the past couple years when he wasn't able to visit. The family would like to thank everyone that put up with Byron's shenanigans and brought joy and laughter to Byron's life. He spoke fondly about you often.
Services are private. A Celebration of Life will be held at a time and place to be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas, 66675-8516, or to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306
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