Thomas Joseph Byrne III, Former Mayor Of Spring Lake, Dies At 72

Courtesy of Neary-Quinn Funeral Home

Thomas Joseph Byrne, III, 72, of Spring Lake, passed away peacefully on March 25, at home, surrounded by his loving family and friends. Tommy was a devoted husband, caring father, adoring grandfather and great friend.

Tommy was born in Newark and grew up in Spring Lake. He is a graduate of St. Catharine's Elementary School, St. Rose High School and Monmouth University. He spent his career as a real estate appraiser for the New Jersey Department of Transportation. He retired in 1997 after 31 years of service.

Tommy also had a distinguished career in public service. He served as the mayor of Spring Lake from 1990 until 2006. Aside from Rita, his boys and their wives and his six adoring grandchildren, being mayor was the love of his life. As mayor, he took tremendous pride in working with the Department of Public Works, the Spring Lake Police Department and the volunteers of the Spring Lake First Aid and Fire Departments. In addition to being the mayor, Tommy also served many years on the Spring Lake Board of Education and as a leader and coach for the Spring Lake/Sea Girt Little League. The Spring Lake Braves were a force to be reckoned with and those boys will always be in his heart.

Tommy was a lifelong resident of Spring Lake. The town will never know a more loyal and loving son. Loyalty was one of Tommy's finest traits. The New York Jets, Joe's Deli, Notre Dame and all the local high school teams were his heart and soul. The New York Yankees were also close to his heart. He adored Mickey Mantle, but when push came to shove, he preferred winning a bet against Joe Val than the Yankees winning.

Above all though, Tommy was a true family man. Rita was the love of his life, his boys were his pride and joy, their wives he adored and his grandchildren put a smile on his face every day. Tommy was blessed.

He was predeceased by his mother and father, Harriet and Thomas Joseph Byrne II. He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Rita, his son, Bryan, his wife Amy and their children Shayne, Luke and Ivy, and his son, Kevin, his wife Kristen and their children Myles, Kellan, and Madden. Tommy was also a beloved in-law to Alice and Mike Lombardy, Dr. Michael and the late Mary Ann Cahill, Hugh and Joan Moriarty, Esther Moriarty, and the adored uncle to many loving nieces and nephews. He will be missed by his dedicated caregivers, Roxy and Akeile. His loving pets, Bailey, Ellie Mae, and Kane were also always at his side.

Tommy had a heart of gold and will be forever in our hearts.

Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 30 at Neary Quinn Funeral Home, 39 South Street in Manasquan. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 31 at St. Catharine Church, Spring Lake. Committal will be private.