Dear All,
It is on the Clubs behalf & with deep regret that I have to advise of you of the passing of Chris Byrne on Sunday Morning.
Chris Byrne's death notice appears in today’s Daily Telegraph.
His funeral will be held on Friday 06/11/09 at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Newbridge Road Moorebank, commencing at 10.30am.
Afterwards the procession will move to the North Chapel, Forest Lawn Crematorium, Camden Valley Way, Leppington.
The wake will be held at the Moorebank Hotel following the cremation.
For those who cannot make the funeral or stay for the wake or who just feel like a drink anyway, drinks in memory of Chris are being held at PJ Gallaghers pub at Drummoyne from 6.00pm this evening. All are welcome.
Please pass this email on to anyone whom you think would like to pay their respects to Chris.
Chris commenced at St Pats in year 7 (First Form) in 1968.
He excelled in Cricket (First XI 1971, 1972, 1973) and Rugby (First XV 1972, 1973)
The St Patrick’s First XV of 1972 was the most successful First XV ( 2 losses only) until joined by the First XV of 2007 on that figure.
After leaving school Chris played on and off with the Old Boys, between times playing rugby league and attempting to break into grade rugby at Eastwood.
He played Kentwell Cup in the late 70’s (Grand Final team of 1979) as fullback until his work took him to Adelaide in the early 80’s.
He played rugby in South Australia, gaining selection in the South Australian team to play the All Blacks. On return to Sydney Chris continued his Kentwell Cup career through the mid-80’s before playing several seasons in lower grades and retiring after the Whiddon Cup Premieship in 1989.
At the Dinner to celebrate 25 years of Kentwell Cup rugby Chris was named fullback in the 25 year Dream Team.
Chris is survived by his son, Dean, a former First Grade Rugby league player, and daughter Amanda. His youngest son, Jarrod, was tragically killed in a motor vehicle accident in 2007. Jarrod had been the youngest player ever to be selected in an Australian open Austag team as well as a very gifted rugby league player.