Edward Joseph Byrne

Edward Byrne, a dedicated engineer, civic leader, and devoted family man, passed away after a life defined by an adventurous spirit and a commitment to excellence. He was 92 years old. Born in New York City in 1934 to Irish immigrants Edward and Ellen Byrne, Ed grew up in a lively household with his three sisters, Mary, Sheila, and Susan. His childhood in New York was marked by a curious and occasionally mischievous nature, from lighting small fires in the bathtub to accidentally falling into the Hudson River while playing in Inwood Park. Ed was educated by the Irish Christian Brothers, where he famously embraced being labeled a "goat" (the difficult kids) rather than a "sheep," only to prove his brilliance by graduating at the top of his class in mathematics. His legendary work ethic began early; he started a paper route at age 11 and worked in a tailor shop throughout high school. After graduating from Power Memorial and working for two years, Ed joined the U.S. Air Force. He served for four years, with assignments in Cape Cod, Texas, and Fairbanks, Alaska, where he developed a specialty in aircraft maintenance. Following his service, he earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the Indiana Institute of Technology in just three years.  In the early 1960s, Ed moved to California with fraternity brothers in search of the ocean. It was through the Catholic Alumni Club that he met Marilyn Drake, a "vivacious lady with beautiful red hair". They were married on February 8, 1964, at Saint Barnabus in Long Beach. Ed’s professional career was nothing short of historic. As an engineer at Rockwell, he contributed to the Apollo missions in the 1960s and the development of the Space Shuttle in the 1970s. In the 1980s, he served as a project manager for complex "Star Wars" defense technology. A hallmark of his professional life was his obsession with being "productive," often seen carrying 3X5 cards in his shirt pocket to manage his meticulous "to-do" lists. A firm believer in civic duty, Ed served the City of La Palma for 13 years as a City Councilman and Mayor. He was instrumental in developing the city’s land and helped dedicate La Palma’s Central Park. His family fondly remembers joining him in a convertible during the annual 4th of July parades, waving to the community he worked so hard to build. Ed was a man of many talents and hobbies. An accomplished pianist and trumpet player, he loved playing "Rhapsody in Blue" on his baby grand piano. He spent countless hours in his workshop creating exquisite furniture, always living by the mantra, "Measure twice, cut once". He was a lifelong sailor and traveler who explored the world via RV and international trips to Europe, Russia, Asia, and Egypt with his wife Marilyn. Above all, Ed was a family man. He created cherished traditions, from sacred nightly dinners to annual summer vacations across the country. He was a mainstay at St. Irenaeus Catholic Church since 1966, where he raised his children in the faith. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; his three children, Margaret, Edward and Jean Marie, his six grandchildren: Adam, Paul, David, Rachel, Sarah, and Rebekah whom he loved taking to air shows and fishing and his great grandson Mason. In honor of Ed’s favorite parting phrase and his relentless drive to achieve the next goal, his family bids him a final: "ONWARD".