Gregory William Byrne
Fairport, NY
Born June 8, 1932 in Brooklyn, NY to Brendan P. Byrne and Margaret Mary (McDonnell) Byrne. Died June 11, 2025 at Highland Hospital, Rochester NY.
Greg was predeceased by his daughter Eileen. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Eileen Brennan Byrne; his children: Sheila Byrne (Jim Turner) of Honeoye Falls, NY; Brendan Byrne (Sandra Handley) of Rochester, NY; Peter Byrne of Rochester NY; Maura Byrne of Chicago, IL; and Thomas (Lara) Byrne of Summerville SC. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Aaron, Shea, Garth & Brennan Coleman; Keavy Handley-Byrne and Declan Handley-Byrne; Brendan Rivers, Edward Byrne and Brigid Byrne; Caitlin Burns and Meghan Byrne; Great-grandchildren Ronnie, Ciara and Clare of Damascus, VA; several in-laws, nieces, and nephews.
Greg grew up on 70th street in Brooklyn, NY. He attended Regis High School in NY, and St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto, where he met the love of his life, Eileen (Lee) Brennan. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, stationed in Oahu, HI. He moved to Rochester, married Lee and was employed by the R.T. French Company until pursuing his Master’s in Education from the University of Rochester. He then taught English for the Rush-Henrietta school district for forty years, where he was beloved by many students. He also taught English in Eastern Europe with Bridges for Education, travelling to Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Crimea and Ukraine in the summer months.
Greg and Lee were members of St. John of Rochester Catholic Church in Fairport, NY, since its inception in 1962. Greg was a founding member of the church choir, a Parish Council member, and served on many committees for St. John’s over the years.
Greg was well-known as an actor locally in the Rochester, NY theatre community. He appeared in productions for the York Opera Theatre, Rochester Community Players, Shipping Dock Theatre, among others, and was a founding member of the Geriactors troupe. He also did television and print ads for local businesses.
Greg enjoyed music, theatre and gardening. He was an avid tennis player, and played regularly until he was 87. He was a founder of the Brentwood Buffs tennis league, where local neighbors competed in matches over the summers at local Fairport parks. Greg also loved travelling, and he and Lee spent much time travelling to Ireland, France, Italy, and other European countries, as well as annual trips to Kennebunkport,
Maine. But his favorite times were large family gatherings at his Brentwood Lane home, with “all his chicks around him.”
Visitation hours will be held Sunday, June 15, 2025 from 12-2 at Richard H. Keenan Funeral Home, 7501 Pittsford-Palmyra Rd, Fairport, NY 14450.
Funeral Service will be Monday, June 16, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at St. John of Rochester Catholic Church, 10 Wickford Way, Fairport, NY 14450. Internment at White Haven Cemetery after the service.
25 responses to “Byrne, Gregory William”
One of the most WONDERFUL teachers I ever had- (and with the number of fantastic teachers at R-H, that says a lot)! I will always remember him fondly. Thank you, Mr. Byrne, for sharing so much of yourself with all of us
Mr. Byrne noticed me when I was a student sliding by, turning in book reports for books I had not read. He asked if I would agree to a contract where all I had to do was read books but he chose the books. Seeing another easy way out, I agreed. But then I saw the books- the most dense and difficult Graham Greene novels. I kept my word and actually earned A’s from him for the rest of the year. He recommended me for Honor’s English and I thrived. I went on to graduate with honors in English at the University of Rochester. Even so, I found I had a lot of catching up to do. After teaching a few years, I earned a Master’s and then a PhD in literacy education. I spent 35 years as a Professor, helping teachers and their students. Yes, Mr. Byrne was a colorful character. But my story is a tribute to his commitment as an educator. I am very thankful for him!
My husband Michael and I will cherish our time with Greg connect to the theatre and beyond. I am a remember of The Getiactors and have had the pleasure of acting opposite him. I often drove him to performances a we both live in Fairport. My husband, as artistic Director at Rochester Community Players was fortunate to have Greg in several. RIP, my friend.
my deepest condolences to the entire family. I will miss his wave passing our home on shadowmoor dr. while approaching his right hand turn on Brentwood.Over the many passing years the nod or wave was always neighborly.
I will sadly miss Greg as we both shared our neighborly acknowledgement on shadowmoor dr approaching his Brentwood residence
Greg was a dynamo! A favorite character actor with several local theatres, he invested great energy into every role, and was always cheerful and entertaining. I was fortunate to work with him in Geriactors and the Blackfriars production of Grey Gardens.
In keeping with what has been a difficult couple of months, I was saddened to learn of the passing of another Rochester theatre legend, the marvelous Greg Byrne. While I only got to appear on stage once with Greg (Out of Pocket produced a staged reading of “Glengarry Glen Ross” a number of years ago),I always admired his work immensely, whether it be his work at Shipping Dock or his performance in “Grey Gardens” at Blackfriars. I was also fortunate to see Greg for over a decade at a monthly gathering of local actors, when I loved hearing stories of the Rochester theatre scene back in the day or swapping English teacher stories. My heart goes out to his family and many friends.
I think my first show with Greg was around 1968. We acted together many times, for RCP and Shipping Dock, Callboard Dinner Theatre, and later on, Geriactors. Greg was fun personified. Even a 7 am call for TV coverage was a time for Greg making us all laugh.
He had a wonderful voice, and was always somebody to cheer you up. And what an actor – I will never forget you, dear friend.
Barely a week goes by when something doesn’t remind me of my high school years, a mixture of anxiety and the most fun ever. I then think of Mr. Byrne and his outlandish and hilarious classes. He was a small man in stature with a deep voice and a big heart. He encouraged my small endeavors to write satire and we had a ball writing fun articles for the RH newspaper. I had a career doing professional writing and still love to write satirical letters to the editor. I will always cherish Mr. Byrne’s influence and even now at age 83, I remember him well and with great affection.
My condolences to the extended Byrne clan. I had the privilege of teaching English with Greg for many years at RH. As I said at his retirement: He was small in stature and gigantic in talent,charm and heart. I visited his classroom after last period on the last day he taught to say goodbye, and had to wait as he was helping yet one more student.
I’ll always remember Greg’s enthusiastic, upbeat personality. He was always a joy to work with and brought so much positive energy to his theatrical roles.
My sincerest sympathies and deepest condolences to Mr. Byrne’s family and loved ones. I, too, was privileged and proud to have been a student of Mr. Byrne’s at RH, in English classes and also on the school newspaper The RH Factor. I shall forever be grateful for the joy he shared, the compassion he provided, the wisdom he offered and the genuine gracious and generous gifts he gave through his teaching and service with and for others. Thank you, Mr. Byrne, pax et bonum.
Greg was a wonderful, kind man and great actor. I remember doing the 1940’s Radio hour with him at Shipping Dock. My sympathies to his family.
My Mom and Dad, the late Jean and Richard Delfs, were colleagues of Greg’s at RH; he and my Mom especially were great friends. I could imagine them now comparing notes as long-time gardeners.
I’d like to join my fellow Rush Henrietta grads in sharing condolences. Mr. Byrne was my junior year English teacher and I always looked forward to his class; just a wonderful, upbeat guy who truly cared about his job and his students.
The Veterans Outreach Center extends our deepest sympathy in Gregory’s passing.
We acknowledge and are truly grateful for his service to our country.
One of the best teachers at Rush Henrietta!
He’ll be missed!!
I was fortunate to have him as a teacher at RH
RIP Mr.Byrnes. Class 67
Rest in Peace Mr. Byrne
🕊️☘️
Rest in peace Mr. Byrne. I was a former student of his at R-H. Great guy. My sincere condolences to his family.
I had the joy of having Greg as an English teacher at Rush-Henrietta in the early 60’s.
It was very apparent that he loved what he was doing and he loved each and every student that he taught.
I know how he felt! I’ve been teaching 46 yrs. and still love what I’m doing.
You will be missed, Mr. Byrne!!!!!
So sorry to hear of this. He was one of my favorite teachers at RH.
Mr.Byrne was a great teacher. Both smart and entertaining.
The One & Only Mr. Byrne. So many memories. It has been 61yrs since Our Class walk across that stage at the RH Roth School. And he is still remember as one of the Best. He came to several of our Class Reunions. Rest in Peace, a Friend to all. God Bless Mr. Byrne!
Mr. Byrne made a lifelong impression on me. A wonderful teacher who made the lives of so many RH students richer. A life well lived, he will be cherished in Heaven. RH 1968