Joseph W. O’Byrne

December 20, 2018

GENEVA – Joseph W. “Bill” O’Byrne, 88, of Larchmont St., passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, December 20, 2018, surrounded by his loving family. Friends may call at the DeVaney-Bennett Funeral Home, 181 N. Main St., Geneva on Sunday, December 23, 2018, from 2:00 - 5:00 PM. Members of the Nester Hose Co. will meet at 4:00 PM for a service for their departed brother; members of the Winnek post 396 American Legion will meet at 4:30 PM for a service for their departed brother; and members of the Knights of Columbus will meet at 4:45 PM for a prayer service for their departed brother. A prayer service will be held at 9:30 AM on Monday, December 24, 2018, in the funeral home and a Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 AM on St. Stephen’s Church. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions, in his memory, may be made to Our Lady of Peace Parish. Bill was born in Geneva and was a lifelong resident. He was the son of the late Joseph and Nancy Frain O’Byrne. He was a graduate of DeSales High School and served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War in Japan. He was appointed to the Geneva Police Department on January 1, 1957 and eventually was appointed Sergeant in 1974. He retired in 1981. He was affiliated with the DeVaney family in the funeral business for over 60 years, serving three generations of DeVaney’s. He was a life member of the Nester Hose Company of the Geneva Fire Department, a life member of the Geneva Council #272 Knights of Columbus, a member of Winnek Post #396 American Legion, VFW Post 2670, and Our Lady of Peace Parish. He loved spending time with family including his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is survived by his son, Joseph W. O’Byrne, Jr.; his daughters, Joanne (Robert) Reed of Waterloo, and Patti Alvaro of New York City; his sister, Peggy Nagle of Baldwinsville; his brother, John P. O’Byrne of Geneva; his grandchildren: Betsy (Jeff) Dunham, Neil (Molly) Agrasto, Shea Alvaro, and Adam Alvaro; his three great-grandchildren, Claire and Jackson Dunham and Madelyn Agrasto; along with many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife of 63 years by 18 hours, Mary DePasquale O’Byrne, and his sister, Kathleen Flynn.