FUNERAL HOME

Hood Mortuary - Durango

1261 East 3rd Avenue

Durango, Colorado

Tom Byrne Obituary

Tom Byrne has rowed his last big wave. He died May 2 at 58 while otherwise trying to have fun, after having been diagnosed with cancer in July 2012.Tom began teaching at Durango High in 1992; he loved developing and teaching alternative courses to the traditional Senior English class. Many students earned credit for their college composition requirements through his classes. As the junior varsity coach for Thespian Troupe 1096, he directed a dozen plays, and was proud of those kids and their continuing success on other stages. Lately, Tom enjoyed performing Celtic music at the Irish Embassy Pub's Sunday Session until he could no longer play and sing. He fronted his own group An Sliabh (The Mountain), Durango's cuddliest Irish band, and performed regionally. Tom earned a master of arts in English and a teaching certification from Northern Arizona University in 1988. While there, he worked for both S.U.N. Entertainment, helping to return contemporary, live music programing to the University, and as adjunct faculty. Before coming to Durango, Tom robbed the Grand Canyon Railway daily, where he was shot and killed during shoot-out reenactments. He also rowed wilderness river trips on the Colorado, San Juan and Salt Rivers. Tom taught English in Page from 1988-1991, but didn't like to talk about it. As a lifelong learner, Tom was interested in diverse areas of study. In 1992, he won a National Endowment for the Humanities independent study fellowship to examine The History and Exploration of the Colorado River in Grand Canyon. He won a second NEH fellowship, Shakespeare, Experiencing the Text, in 2001, and was a guest of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. The Education in Ireland Seminar at the National University of Ireland in Galway in 2007 brought him further chances to travel and study. He also visited Scotland and Northern Ireland during that trip, where he developed an interest in Irish literature and history, particularly between 1913 and 1923. At the time of his death, however, he had still not finished Ulysses. After diagnosis of his illness, Tom traveled widely. He visited the Midwest by train, went to New Zealand for a month, and returned to Ireland and Wales. Later, he visited the Gulf Coast and Hawaii, completing his plan to visit all 50 states. Tom is survived by his mother, Ruth Byrne, and sister, Anne Byrne, of Glendale, AZ; brothers, Michael Byrne of Cupertino, CA, and Timothy Byrne of Andersonville, TN; nieces Laura Hamm, Amanda Kim, and Melanie Byrne; nephews Patrick Massaro, Dylan Nadon, and Sean Nadon, and Chaos (Cat, the). His father, George Byrne, and his brother, Patrick Byrne, precede him in death.

An Irish wake will be held at 2 p.m. June 27 at the Irish Embassy Pub in Durango. Family and friends are invited to listen to live music. Memorial contributions may be made to the La Plata County Humane Society, 1111 So. Camino del Rio, Durango 81303.

Published by The Durango Herald on May 27, 2015.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Tom Byrne

Sponsored by Hood Mortuary - Durango.

Not sure what to say?





5 Entries

Miss you Tom ! 15 years of wonderful friendship and good advice !

Kandyce Keene-Rice

January 9, 2018

Tom was one of my beloved patients at Southwest Oncology. We shared a love of cats, good books, and Game of Thrones. He always made me laugh, and I wish he had been my high school English teacher! You are very missed, Tom.

Erin McMahon

June 3, 2015

I miss you Tom! I'm so glad your suffering has ceased. Thank you for everything throughout the years. I will remember you always.

Stephanie Simons

June 2, 2015

One of the coolest teachers I had at Durango High School. RIP.

Dave Gallegos

May 31, 2015

So sorry to hear of your loss. Losing a love one is very difficult. May you find solace in the wonderful memories shared. And may the God of all comfort give you peace at this sad time. 2 Cor. 1: 3 and 4.

Phyllis

May 29, 2015

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 results

Make a Donation
in Tom Byrne's name

Memorial Events
for Tom Byrne

Jun

27

Wake

2:00 p.m.

Irish Embassy Pub

Durango, CO

Funeral services provided by:

Hood Mortuary - Durango

1261 East 3rd Avenue, Durango, CO 81301

How to support Tom's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Tom Byrne's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more

Sponsored