Daniel W. Byrne

Daniel W. “Dan” Byrne, 89, of Riverhead N.Y., passed away peacefully Dec. 12, 2019, surrounded by family and friends at East End Hospice Kanas Center for Hospice Care.
He was the beloved son of the late Patrick and Veronica Byrne and was predeceased by his brother, Terrence. Dan is survived by sons Patrick and Brian, his daughter, Kathleen Gioconda, and his son Connell and his wife, Diane. Dan’s nieces and nephews are Donna, William and Mathew Byrne, and Mary, Michael and Steven Papp. Dan is also survived by his domestic partner Cate Lynch, her daughter and son Margaret and Christopher McCormick and Christopher’s wife and son, Jennifer and Gavyn.
Dan was born in the Bronx July 28, 1930.
He attended Cardinal Hayes High School, Manhattan College and received his B.S. degree in public affairs — court system management from Adelphi University in 1977.
He enlisted in the Army in 1948 and served on the battlefront in Korea as a member of the 77th Infantry Division. Dan retired from active duty in 1952 at the rank of captain and continued to serve in the Army Reserves for another 36 years, ultimately retiring as a colonel.
Dan was respected by his many friends and colleagues for his thoroughness, fairness and sense of humor. He was a deep thinker who considered all sides of an argument before forming an opinion, whether it concerned a political vote, a logistical decision or the purchase of a kayak. Sometimes his research would take so long that he would lose interest in the topic before ever reaching a conclusion!
After active duty in the Army, Dan joined the New York City courts system, from which he retired as first deputy chief clerk of Bronx County Supreme Court. With his wife, Theresa (deceased), they moved their family from the Bronx to Stony Brook in 1965 to provide the children with a quality education and a better lifestyle. They raised their four children to be responsible and productive members of society. As a family they enjoyed sailing on Long Island Sound and owned several sailboats. After retiring to Riverhead, Dan enjoyed kayaking on the local rivers, cross-country skiing and bicycling.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home. At Dan’s request, there will be no wake. He is being cremated and a church service will be held at St. Isidore R.C. Church in Riverhead Saturday, Dec. 21, at 11 a.m. He will be interred at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Coram in the spring.
This is a paid notice.