BYRNE, JAMES AUGUST

BYRNE, JAMES AUGUST
James August Byrne
September 18, 1933 December 27, 2024
On December 27, 2024 Jim went to be with the Lord surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Paterson, NJ to John J. Byrne and Winifred A. Byrne (Mohr). Jim is predeceased by his Mother, Father, and Brother, Jack Byrne.
Jim moved to Bridgeton, NJ, and eventually his family moved to Wildwood, NJ in 1946
Jim graduated from Wildwood High School in 1951 and Rutgers College in New Brunswick, NJ in 1955.
In 1956, Jim married Shirley. They had 4 children. Shirley was very busy raising 4 children (4 in 5 years). Shirley and Jim were married for 68 years. Jim treasured his 4 children, 10 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren. Jim enjoyed life to the fullest, especially when he was with Shirley and his family.
He entered the Air Force in 1955 as a Second Lieutenant. Shirley traveled with Jim throughout his military career, and was great support. He went through basic training in Florida, then multi-engine aviation training in Enid Oklahoma. He flew B-47 Jet Bombers in Wichita Kansas, and finally became part of the Strategic Air Command stationed at MacDill Air Force base in Tampa Florida. He alternated months between Tampa and Zaragosa Spain to stand on alert with H bombs ready during the Cold War with Russia. He received an honorable discharge as a Captain in November of 1958.
Retiring from the Air Force to help his Father in the Insurance Agency, he helped form and incorporate the J. Byrne Agency. The agency started in 1946 and has grown to 5 offices in Cape May County, and 65 employees. The agency is now in the fourth generation. Jim obtained his CPCU designation in 1968. He also became the President and State National Director of the New Jersey Independent Insurance Agents Association. A very distinguished honor and position. He also served on the initial Board of the National Flood Program.
Jim and Shirley enjoyed the game of golf. Jim was a scratch handicap for most of his life, and scored under his age daily well into his late 80's. They enjoyed traveling with friends, and playing golf in such places as Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Germany. Jim won four Club Championships at three different golf clubs, including Lost City Golf Club (Atlantis, Florida), and Wildwood Golf & Country Club. In 1954 Jim and his father John won the NJ State Golf Association Father & Son Tournament. He had 4 holes in one, including his final one at age 87.
Jim enjoyed snow skiing with his family. After teaching his family to ski at Pine Hill, NJ, they traveled as far as New England and the Rocky Mountains in order to enjoy the sport. Many memories were made along the way.
Jim enjoyed all types of fishing, including chasing marlin and billfish off the coast of New Jersey as well as Puerta Aventura Mexico, Quepos Costa Rica, and Isla Mujeres Mexico. Jim's billfishing career spanned over 50 years, and was one of his favorite things to do, although flounder fishing ranked a close second.
Jim is survived by his wife of 68 years, Ann Shirley Byrne (Ross), his 4 children: James (Rebecca), Thomas (Angel), Timothy, and Pamela, 10 grandchildren (Timothy, Kelsey, Jessica, Alison, Casey, Tucker, Trevor, Tyler, Logan, and Julia), and 9 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Jack's wife Dorothy Byrne of Hanover, NH.
Visitation will be at St. Simeon's by the Sea Episcopal Church, 2502 Central Avenue, North Wildwood, NJ 08260 from 10 am to Noon on January 10, 2025. Services will immediately follow. Memorial donations can be made to the charity of your choice in honor of Jim Byrne.
Condolences may
be sent to
ingersollgreenwoodfh.com