Phil Byrne Obituary

Phillip John Byrne, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at the age of 71. Born on July 5, 1954, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Phil lived a life rooted in love and integrity, guided by purpose, and filled with meaningful moments shared with the people he cared about most. A graduate of the University of Cincinnati, Phil built a long and successful career in corporate finance at General Electric, retiring in 2015 after 37 years of dedicated service. His work took his family to many places-Utah, Texas, Georgia, Virginia, and South Carolina-but no matter where they landed, Phil made sure that home was always filled with love, laughter, and new adventures. In retirement, Phil embraced the chance to savor life with family and friends. He traveled often, tended beautiful gardens with his wife, Debbie, and spent countless joyful hours adventuring and playing with his beloved grandchildren, Landon and Hannah. Phil had an adventurous spirit and a passion for living life to the fullest. He was an avid drummer who had played since 7th grade, and he enjoyed many types of music. He also loved cycling, starting with mountain biking in Utah's Wasatch Mountains and later transitioning to road cycling. Some of his happiest hours were spent cycling side by side with his son, J.T., sharing thousands of miles and a deep bond along the way. Above all, Phil was a family man. He was a devoted, hands-on husband, dad, and "Poppa" who poured his heart into every relationship. Family always came first. His steady presence and boundless love will be remembered always. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Deborah Byrne; his children, Monica Holmes and her husband, Mike; J.T. Byrne; and Nicholas Byrne and his wife, Lauren; as well as his two grandchildren, Landon and Hannah Holmes. He is also lovingly remembered by his siblings, Kris Jones (Jimi), Greg Byrne (Ann), Mike Byrne (Michelle), and Steve Byrne, who will miss his warmth, wisdom, and sense of humor. Phil was preceded in death by his parents, James and Sally Byrne, and his brother, David Byrne. His legacy of love, loyalty, and joyful living lives on in all who knew him. His adventurous spirit, love for music, and devotion to his family will forever shine brightly in our memories. A memorial service will take place on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Thomas McAfee Funeral Homes, Southeast with visitation to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The National Shrine of St. Jude’s or Easterseals Redwood. Friends are encouraged to share their favorite memories of Phil with the family by clicking on the button labeled "Share A Memory".