MARLBOROUGH - John P. Byrne, 62, of Grafton and formerly of Marlborough, died Wednesday, June 3, 2009 surrounded by his family at MetroWest Medical Center, Natick after a long illness. He leaves his wife of 13 years, Linda S. Branchaud of Grafton. John was born in Concord, raised in Maynard, the son of the late Morgan F. and Elizabeth A. (Molloy) Byrne, and had been a resident of Marlborough since 1957. Following his graduation from Marlborough High School, he enlisted in the U. S. Army and proudly served his country during the Vietnam War until 1968. He worked at the former Puritan Bennett (now AirGas Corp.) for over 30 years, retiring in 2007. John was a true family man, who lived to help others, especially those in need...he was known for playing Santa Claus each Christmas and often visited local hospitals and community organizations spreading the holiday spirit. John also loved trains and had an obsession with clocks going back to his early childhood he was intrigued by clock mechanisms and pendulum movements which led to a hobby in expert clock repairing and an extensive collection of clocks.

He enjoyed collecting unique antiques, yard sales, playing cards, was forever fixing things, flower gardening, building birdhouses and was an avid movie buff. He was a great storyteller, a friend of Bill W, and a traveling man who loved to dance. John was a member of the Marlborough Eagles and AmVets.
He also leaves a son, Jason M. Byrne of Marlborough; a brother, Morgan P. Byrne of Marlborough, and three sisters, Eileen Mast and Barbara Hennigan, both of Marlborough, and Mary Ellen Nichols of Acton; and many nephews nieces, aunts, uncles and cousins. He was predeceased by a brother, Thomas J. Byrne of Marlborough and three sisters, Christine E. Parenti and Deborah J. Byrne, both of Marlborough, and Sheila A. Byrne of Maynard.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Monday, June 8, at 9 a.m., at Immaculate Conception Church, Prospect Street, Marlborough. Burial following cremation will be private. Calling hours will be held Sunday, June 7, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the Fitzgerald & Collins Funeral Home, 378 Lincoln St., Marlborough. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701. All are invited to sign John's online guestbook at www.CollinsFuneral.com.