James Joseph Byrnes

September 25, 1937 - February 2, 2024

With sorrow we wish to announce the passing of our beloved father and friend, James Joseph Byrnes. Jim passed away February 2, 2024, at Riverview Health Centre in Winnipeg, of complications from COPD and lung cancer.

Jim was born September 25, 1937 to James and Evelyn Alice Radcliffe Byrnes in Montreal, Quebec. He resided on Woodland Ave in Verdun until he married Carol May Norris Byrnes in May 1961. Together they bought their first house in Beloeil, Quebec and had 3 children, Teresa, Joanna and James. They moved from Beloeil to Churchill, Manitoba in 1970, to Winnipeg in 1973, and after a year in Dauphin finally settled in the St. James area of Winnipeg in 1975, always following the path that Jim’s career led them.

Jim worked for some notable employers during his long career in Finance and Management, including Northern Electric, Domtar and Steinberg Ltd in Montreal, the Government of the Northwest Territories in Churchill, and Transair in Winnipeg. Jim started work with the Government of Canada Indigenous and Northern Affairs department in May 1974, where he held various positions in the Finance and Administration Directorate, Local Government Directorate, and finally the Resource, Economic and Development Directorate, where he retired from in January 1994. After he retired Dad enjoyed simple pleasures – reading, sleeping late, movies, and the “art of the deal”. He enjoyed keeping up with political and economic events, and would often engage in spirited discussions of the state of the world’s affairs.

Left to mourn his passing are his children James, Joanna (Robert) and Teresa (estranged), his grandchildren Bianca, Haylea, Timothy Jr. and Richard, his niece Colleen and nephew Cory and their families. He was predeceased by his ex-wife Carol in December 2010, his mother Evelyn “Alice” in October 2003 and his younger brother Charlie in November 2003.

Jim’s family would like to thank Dr. Braun from Access Winnipeg West, Dr. Dawe from CancerCare Manitoba, and especially Palliative Care Manitoba and Riverview Health Centre’s Palliative Care unit for providing him with the care and the dignity he so rightly deserved up to and including his death.

 Arrangements are in care of Branch and Pyre in Winnipeg. At Dad’s request, he has been cremated, and no service is planned. If desired, donations can be made in his name to the Humane Society in Winnipeg.

“Earth hath no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal.” -Thomas Moore

Branch & Pyre Cremation Care