Living

Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Grant Byrnes, 86, of Niagara Falls, NY, died Thursday, December 2, 2010. Born in Barrie, Ontario, Grant was the son of the Reverend John D. and Agnes Byrnes. At the age of 17, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and served as a pilot in Europe, with a rank of Captain, during WW II. While in London, he met Kathleen (Judy) Cotterill and they were married in Yorkshire in 1946.. Following the war, Grant and Judy settled in Canada and he attended the University of Toronto. He graduated with honors in chemical engineering. Upon graduation, they moved to Niagara Falls, Ontario where Grant joined the Carborundum Company. He worked for the firm in several locations in the US and abroad for over 25 years. He retired as an Executive Vice President in 1982. After retiring, Grant was invited to join the International Executive Services Corps, a government program that provides voluntary business expertise to developing countries. Grant and Judy made several multi-month trips abroad to India, Russia and Romania.. Grant moved his family to Niagara Falls, NY in 1962 and settled into the community. He was an avid sailor, keeping his boat, the Fenay Brig, in Youngstown. Grant also loved to hunt, fish and watch the Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Bills play.. In service to the local community, Grant regularly delivered meals for the Niagara County Meals for the Elderly until just a few years ago. He also served on the Board of the Oakwood Cemetery, helping with the restoration and preservation of this historical site.. Grant is survived by Judy, his wife of 64 years; his children, Michael and Elizabeth Byrnes; granddaughters, Sara and Emily Africk; and many life long friends and family.. Graveside services will be held Saturday morning at 10 AM at Oakwood Cemetery, 763 Portage Rd., Niagara Falls, NY. Friends and family are invited to visit at the house from 1-4 PM later that day. Memorial donations can be made to the Oakwood Cemetery Restoration Fund or Mount St Mary's Hospital. Arrangements by M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL 2730 Military Rd., Niagara Falls, NY.

Grant married Kathleen Judy Cotterill in 1946 in West Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom. Kathleen was born on 27 Jan 1924 in Lepton, West Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom; died on 24 Aug 2019 in Niagara Falls New York, USA; was buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Kathleen Byrnes, known to her close friends as ?Judy? died Saturday, August 24, 2019. Born in Lepton, West Yorkshire, England, Judy was the daughter of the late George and Nellie Cotterill. At the age of 18, she joined the British Navy?s Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) providing first-aid and medical assistance during WWII. Judy met her husband Grant Byrnes who was a pilot in the Royal Canadian Airforce during a bombing raid in London. They married in Yorkshire in 1946.
Judy came to Canada as a ?war bride?, to start a family with Grant. She worked at the Royal Admiralty in Toronto while Grant attended the University of Toronto. In 1956 they embarked on a series of moves for Grant?s work to Niagara Falls, Ontario, Niagara Falls, New York, Logan, Ohio and returning in 1962 to Niagara Falls, NY, where they lived for the rest of their lives.
Wherever Judy lived, she found ways to help the community, especially through the Episcopal church. She ran blood drives, strawberry festivals and was an avid supporter of the local foodbank. In the mid-1970s, she was approached by the Niagara Council on Churches to help establish and run a drop-in center for the elderly at the First Baptist Church. Realizing many elderly people were hungry and needed social services, the program evolved into the Nutritional Program for the Elderly which still runs today. After 20 years of service Judy retired as director of the First Baptist program.
Judy and Grant were members of the Youngstown Yacht Club and she was his first-mate on their sail boat, the Fenay Brig. When Grant joined the Executive Service Corps, a program to aid businesses in developing countries, Judy joined him on multi-month assignments in Russia and India. She was an avid gardener, loved to read, cook, entertain friends and enjoyed a competitive round of Bridge. But first and foremost, Judy adored her family and many lifelong friends. She loved being home, reading a good book, sharing a cup of tea in the garden and reflecting on life, love and social issues.
Grant died in 2010. They were married 64 years. Judy is survived by her children, Elizabeth (Liz) Byrnes (Cary Africk), and Michael Byrnes (Shavonna Kelley), and her beloved granddaughters, Sara and Emily Africk.
Graveside services will take place on Wednesday morning, August 28th at 11 AM at Oakwood Cemetery, Niagara Falls. Family and friends are invited to join. Following the service, we will celebrate Judy?s life at the family home from 1-4 PM. Memorials in Judy?s honor may be sent to the Oakwood Cemetery Restoration Fund or to Mt. St. Mary?s Hospital.

Notes:

Birth:
Cumberland, Ontario

John married Agnes Vance on 11 Jun 1921 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Agnes was born on 5 Apr 1888 in Hepworth, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Mary McEachern on 27 Sep 1864 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Mary was born on 12 Feb 1841 in Lochaber Township, Québec, Canada; died on 22 Sep 1910 in Rural Municipality of Whitewater, Manitoba, Canada; was buried in Elgin Cemetery, Elgin, Rural Municipality of Grassland, Manitoba, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]