Former Parade Grand Marshal Mourned

Mourners filled St. Rose Church in Belmar Saturday morning for the funeral of James A. Byrne, who died Tuesday. He was 71.

Byrne, of Brick, was past president of the Old Bridge Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh, a member and former Grand Marshal of the Belmar Parade Committee and member of the New Jersey Irish Festival, where he served as chairman in 2008, according to his obituary.

Byrne was born in Jersey City, was a former resident of Old Bridge and moved to Brick 12 years ago, the obituary says.

Byrne served in the U.S. Marine Corps, stationed in Okinawa, Japan, and remained forever a proud Marine. He was an Insulator with the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Union, Local 32, of Newark for more than 35 years, the obituary says.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Ann, in 2006, to whom he was married for more than 40 years. Surviving are his cherished children, Michael P. Byrne and wife Alana of Wall, James J. Byrne and wife Ann-Marie of Freehold, Brian J. Byrne and wife Heidi of Sparta, and Maureen A. Byrne, of Basel, Switzerland; his loving partner, Arlene Cusick of Wall; his dear brothers, Robert Byrne (Eileen) of Florida, and William Byrne (Pat) of Georgia; his dear sister, Alice Hayes (Vic); and his seven beloved grandchildren, Jack, Katie, Cullen, Brian, Aine, Mairin, and Declan.

Memorial donations can be made in James' memory to the NJ Sharing Network Foundation, 691 Central Ave., New Providence, NJ 07974, njsharingnetworkfoundation.org or to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. Both causes were very near and dear to James' heart, the obituary says.

For more information or to send condolences, please visit www.OBrienFuneralHome.com.