Obituary of James A Byrne

James A Byrne, 72, of Salem, died Wednesday surrounded by his loving family at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers following a brief illness. He was the devoted husband of the late Kathleen (Wall) Byrne. Born in Cork, Ireland, he was the son of the late Michael and Peggy (McTeggart) Byrne. He was raised and educated in Ireland and immigrated to the United States 51 years ago and has lived in Salem for the past 40 years. James was a musician and the founder of the McTeggart Irish Band who played throughout the Boston area and North Shore. He first started playing at the former Old Harp and Bard in Danvers and in many Irish Pubs in the Boston area including the Black Rose. He brought much joy to people's lives with his music and will be dearly missed by all who knew him. James is survived by his daughter Roxanne Cann of Beverly, and his son and daughter-in-law, Seamus and Sarah Byrne of Beverly, his two brothers and sisters-in-law, Thomas and Rosemary Byrne of VT and Adrian and Paula Sheehan of Ireland, his beloved three grandchildren, Michael Cann, Owen and Cian Byrne and is also survived by many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and friends. He was predeceased by his granddaughter Kathleen Cann. Visiting hours will be held on Monday from 4:00 until 8:00 PM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 20 Church St, Peabody to which relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday at 11:30 AM at Ste Anne’s Church, Jefferson Ave, Salem. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Lynn. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in his name to either the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 10 Brookline Place west, 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445-7226 or Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan St, Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923.