John P. Byrne

John P. Byrne, age 77, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 29, 2021. He was a resident of Wayne, PA. He proudly served his country as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and was awarded the Purple Heart. He was a pilot in the USMC Reserves, obtained a commercial pilot's license, and loved to fly. After his military service, John worked for the Philadelphia Police Department in many roles including on the Highway Patrol, in the Crime Lab, and as a Detective. He earned a degree in chemistry from La Salle University.
After retirement from the police department, John had careers with Subaru of America, Wyeth Pharmaceutical, Dow Chemical Company, and Montgomery County Community College. John was a member of St. Katharine of Siena Church in Wayne, PA and also enjoyed going to the Latin Mass at Holy Saviour parish in Norristown, PA. John loved working on cars, drawing cartoons, cooking Italian foods, and baking bread. He had a special way with people and loved helping anyone, especially neighbors and friends.
John was born in South Philadelphia in 1944 as Giovanni Patucci Parisi to Severio and Maria Parisi, who died when he was 12 years old. After the death of his parents, John spent time at St. Vincent's Orphanage. He was then fortunate to be adopted into the Byrne family as John Patrick. John is preceded in death by his father, Henry Byrne; mother, Mary Ellen (McBrairty) Byrne Moffitt; step-father, James Moffitt; and his sister, Teresa Parisi. Surviving is his loving family including his beloved wife of 51 years, Sheila R. (Brennan) Byrne; daughter Colette and her husband Steven; grandson, Geary; son, John Anthony Byrne; sister, Mary Ellen Golden; and many other dear family members.
The family will receive relatives & friends at St. Katharine of Siena Church, 104 S. Aberdeen Avenue, Wayne, PA on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, from 10:00 am to 10:50 am; with his Funeral Mass starting at 11:00 am. Funeral Mass will be Live-streamed. In order to view, please go to St. Katharine of Siena's youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIc4OFU0aPr51trE_OMyh2g/videos. Interment will be in Washington Crossing National Cemetery, Newtown, PA on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 promptly at 1:15 pm. Due to the pandemic, a luncheon gathering will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in John's memory to the Franciscan Brothers of Peace, Queen of Peace Friary, 1289 Lafond Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104.
Arrangements are by the Bacchi Funeral Home & Crematory, Ltd., Bridgeport, PA.
Condolences to the family at www.bacchifh.com
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