The recent death in New York of John James (J.J.) Byrne, marked the passing of a remarkable Irish exile who became a highly influential figure in the Irish community in New York and was long-serving sports editor of the Irish Echo.
Born in Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, on September 18th, 1913, his first memories were, however, of Co Kilkenny to which he would have a lifelong dedication. His family moved to Paulstown, Co Kilkenny, when he was 15 months old and later to Doninga, Goresbridge. In early 1937 he left Ireland "with two clean shirts, a few shillings, a clear conscience and an enduring bond with his native land and his beloved Co Kilkenny". He was to return on many occasions on holiday.
Byrne arrived in a New York still in the throes of depression, with emigration from Ireland at a standstill. He got through the embargo on the coat-tails of his uncle, John Byrne, a real-estate broker, in Omaha, Nebraska, and his son Bill Byrne, a New York lawyer. He soon landed a job with the Railway Express Agency and later in the Hearns department store on West 14th Street, as a grocery warehouse man on $14 a week.
On St Valentine's Day 1941 he married Eileen Brick, a native of Croughmore, Co Kerry. He was called up in the second World War, attaining the rank of staff sergeant. Byrne was for generations of Irish people the first point of contact in New York. Through an extensive network of contacts in the GAA and the trade union movement - particularly in construction - he became the conduit for many for that vital first step on the employment ladder.
In 1950 he was made New York correspondent for the Kilkenny People and in March 1959 was appointed sports editor of the Irish Echo.
His favourite spot on earth was Gaelic Park where he lined out for Kilkenny football and hurling teams and for years sat in its press box covering the "Games of the Gael". On April 6th, 1997, the New York GAA president, Michael Cassidy, declared "John Byrne Day" at the park and presented him with an award for his 40 years with the Echo and 60 years' involvement with the GAA. There were congratulatory letters from President Bill Clinton and New York's Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
Huge crowds, including a large contingent of GAA people attended his funeral Mass in the Bronx where he worshipped. Predeceased in December 1985 by his wife, he is survived by his sister Eileen, nephews, nieces, other relatives and many friends in sports journalism.
John James (J.J.) Byrne: born September 18th, 1913; died December 27th, 2003