Gerald J. Byrne (1941-2021)

BYRNE, HEALEY, PHILIPP

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 8/20/2021 at 07:57:56

Gerald J (Jerry) Byrne, 80, of Cedar Rapids, IA, passed to eternal life Wednesday, August 18, 2021, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids. A visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. on Sunday, August 22 at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, August 23, 2021, at St. Ludmila’s Catholic Church with Rev. Ken Glaser officiating. Burial will follow at St. John’s Cemetery.

Jerry was born July 18, 1941, in Cedar Rapids, IA, the son of Paul and Mildred (Healy) Byrne. He married Teresa Lee Philipp on June 22, 1963, at St Ludmila’s Church in Cedar Rapids, where was an active parishioner for over 50 years. They had two beautiful children.

Jerry became a fast friend to everyone he met, and he had a special knack for making everyone feel important. Many of his friends were met on the road, as he drove a truck since the age of 18. It’s been said that “he made friends at every stop”. He enjoyed driving a truck so much that he kept driving part-time even into his retirement.

Jerry also enjoyed filling his shop with toys. He loved gadgets and he especially LOVED a good joke. He served his country in the Vietnam War from 1966-1968. He was a devout Catholic and was fortunate to pass at perhaps the holiest time in his life.

Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family. All his nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews, brothers in law and sisters in law loved his charismatic spirit. He was like a second dad to many of them. Jerry’s extended family was very large, and he made a special impact on every single member. He especially loved tinkering with his son Matt, boating with his grandchildren, and oh my goodness…he sure loved his wife “Tess”.

Survivors include his wife, Teresa; two sons, Matt (Lisa) Byrne, of Aurora, IL, and Greg (Dawn) Byrne, of Ely, IA; one sister, Carol Goodman of Denver, CO; three brothers, Rick and Dave Byrne of Cedar Rapids and Frank Byrne of Friday Harbor, WA; seven grandchildren – McKenna, Dillon, Brock, Riley, Brady, Carson, and Maddox; and two step grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Barb and brothers Tom, Jack, and Mick.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you support Mary’s Meals or Shriner’s Hospital.