Fr. Byrne

Father Laurence Byrne, SDB Father Laurence Byrne, SDB, went home to the Lord on Saturday, March 3rd, at 89 years of age. He was a Salesian of St. John Bosco for 69 years and a priest for 59 years. Father Larry was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1923. He was educated in England, and made his first religious profession as a Salesian of St. John Bosco in August, 1942, at Beckford, England. He then studied philosophy and received his bachelor?s degree in 1944 at Shrigley, England. Subsequently he in various Salesian high schools in Ireland and England. He then went on to study theology and was ordained a priest on July 20, 1952 in Beckford, England. After ordination, Fr. Larry continued his teaching ministry in Shrigley, England. He taught mathematics to high school students, and received his Masters in Education with a specialization in mathematics from London University in 1957. He continued his teaching career at Battersea, London, England. It was in 1966 that Father Larry came to California to be close to his sister and her family. From 1966 to 1974 he taught mathematics at St. John Bosco High School, Bellflower. Then in 1974 he was assigned to Salesian High School in Richmond. So many people remember Father Larry as the consummate math teacher. His former students would come back to ask for help or assistance for their college work. He dedicated and devoted his life to help the young entrusted to his care. He didn?t teach math, he educated young people to value God?s love alive in each of their hearts. He had to retire from the classroom in 1996, but for the next ten years he spent in Richmond he never retired from being an educator, offering tutoring to struggling math scholars, hearing confessions, and just being present. When assigned to Salesian High School in 1974, he began helping with pastoral work at St. Calllistus Church in El Sobrante. For over 30 years he ministered to the people of the parish where he witnessed marriages, helped to bury loved ones, and was a faithful and loving pastoral minister on the weekends. More than his Irish wit, it was his priestly soul, his love for them that captured their hearts. There will be a vigil service at St. Callistus Church in El Sobrante on Thursday evening, March 8th, beginning at 7:30 PM. The Mass of Resurrection celebrating Father Larry?s life will take place also at St. Callistus on Friday, March 9th, at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Fr. Larry Byrne Memorial Scholarship Fund at Salesian High School, Richmond, CA.

Fr. Byrne

January 19, 1923 - March 3, 2012