Obituary of Douglas Bryan Byrne

TROY -- Douglas Bryan Byrne, 65, of Troy died unexpectedly Sunday, May 29, 2011, at Inland Hospital in Waterville. Doug was born on Oct. 18, 1945, in Waterbury, Conn., the only child of Kenneth and Faye (Bryan) Byrne. He married Margaret Pratt Hubbell in 1963. They lived in Bethlehem, Conn., until moving to Troy in 1981. A man of many talents, Doug was, among other things, a farmer, a professional finishing carpenter and a skilled pool player. He could do anything that he set his mind to, and do it well. Elegant woodworking projects and general carpentry, raising golden retrievers, cows, goats, pigs, sheep, fowl and children, making wine, farming organically (before it was fashionable), cutting wood, hunting -- he and Peg worked together as partners throughout their life together. Doug is survived by his wife and best friend, Peg Byrne; his mother, Faye Baumgarten, of Dunellon, Fla.; son Kenneth Byrne of Providence, R.I.; daughters Sheila Gardiner and Kelly McCormick; grandchildren Kristin McCormick Durand, Tyler McCormick and Aleisha Gardiner; and great-grandson Nikolas Durand, all of Troy. He was taken too soon and will be sadly missed. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, June 5, at 3 p.m. at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Eustis Parkway, Waterville. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to a humane society or animal shelter of your choice in Doug's memory.