HUDSON - Thomas V. Byrne, 74, of Hudson and formerly of Stow, died Monday, Jan. 25, 2010 at St. Patrick's Manor after a long illness. He was the husband of Janice M. (Rousseau) Byrne for the past 47 years. The son of the late Vincent R. and Sarah (Moore) Byrne, he was born, raised and educated in Watertown, graduating from high school in 1953 and from Boston College in 1957, receiving a bachelor's degree in business administration. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving from 1958 to 1961. Tom was a product sales manager at Polaroid Corporation for 18 years before retiring in 1984. He enjoyed gardening, photography, reading and traveling. Active in the Marriage Encounter Program, he will be remembered for his charismatic personality, being able to light up any room when he entered. Tom had a tenderness about him--kids adored him--and he was known for "that wink and smile." He was compassionate, open minded and non-judgmental.
Besides his wife he leaves four daughters, Michelle M. Byrne of Stoneham, Christine M. Byrne of Hudson, Meridith A. Pavlosky and her husband, Michael, of Gardner and Aimee Byrne Healy and her husband, Adam, of Marlborough; two brothers, Joseph J. Byrne of Marblehead and Vincent R. Byrne of Osterville, and a sister, Ann Byrne of Peabody; seven grandchildren, Rachel and Rebecca Dannay of Stoneham, Clara, Steven and Elizabeth Pavlosky of Gardner and Thomas and Abigail Healy of Marlborough. He was the father of Thomas V. Byrne, Jr., who died in 1972. He was pre-deceased by two sisters Mary and Theresa Byrne.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Friday, Jan. 29, at 12 Noon at St. Rose of Lima Church, 244 Main St., Northborough. Burial, following cremation, will be private. Calling hours will be Thursday, Jan. 28, from 4 to 8 p.m., at the Fitzgerald & Collins Funeral Home (www.CollinsFuneral.com), 378 Lincoln Street, Marlborough. Instead of flowers, donations may be made to St. Patrick's Manor, 863 Central St., Framingham, MA 01701.