Obituary of Edward Thomas Byrne

Edward Byrne, age 69, of Oakdale, passed away unexpectedly at home May 10,2022 after a lengthy illness.   

Ed was born June 19,1952 at Camp Pendleton Marine Base in Oceanside, California. He grew up in Cherry Hill, NJ graduating from Camden Catholic High School (1970). He attended Univ. of St. Thomas/Univ. of MN obtaining a Bachelors in Criminal Justice.  

Ed was an avid fan of college and NHL hockey. Especially the Colorado College Tigers and Philadelphia Flyers. He relished in the opportunity he had as “Stickboy” for the Flyers/former MN North Stars during his teens.  

3 year Army Veteran stationed in Panama/Colorado. Honeymoon 1979 returned to Panama/Puerto Rico and again on 25th Wedding Anniversary (2004) with the whole family. 

Coached Youth Hockey—Mites, Squirts, and Pee-Wees. 29-year employee with United States Postal Service until 2007. Active in (NALC) Branch 28 Union as union delegate/steward and attended several national conventions which took the family to Florida, Hawaii, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and others. Loved the mountains (especially the Rockies) and blessed his family with travel to 90% of U.S. States including Alaska (2001), Hawaii (2004), and even Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (1993). 

Audited some law school classes/served on Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board/Ethics Board. Member of OTHA and St. Paul Downtown Lions. 

Preceded in death by parents, Raymond and Rose Ann Byrne; in-laws, Wallace and Dorothy Kusch. Survived by wife of 43 years, Gerri; daughter, Annette (J.R.) Licht, Woodbury, MN; son, Stephen (Bri), Dickinson, ND; cherished grandson, Justin Wallace Licht, Woodbury, and grand-puppies, Gunner (“Gunzy”) and “K-9” Thor, Dickinson; sister, Vickie, New Berlin, WI; brother, Paul (Carol), Milwaukee; brother-in-law, Tom Vizer, Hales Corners, WI; 2 nephews and their families; other cousins, and friends. 

Special thanks to Dr. Sandra Rosenberg and nurses at Health East Vascular, Maplewood.  

Funeral Mass Thursday, September 8th, 2022 (Ed and Gerri’s 43rd Wedding Anniversary) at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 2600 N. Margaret St., North St. Paul, MN, at 12 p.m. Visitation 1 hour prior. Luncheon to follow mass. Burial New Berlin, WI at later date.  

Memorials to North St. Paul Youth Hockey for families who are unable to afford equipment for their child or donor’s choice. 

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