Meet the Byrne Family, as introduced by Frank Byrne:
My father, Frank D. Byrne, Jr. was 100% Irish. His mother, Elizabeth Turbett Byrne came to the U.S. at age 17 from County Leitrum (then and now the poorest county in Ireland) due to hard times. Her family lived on a farm in the Kilnagrass section of the town on Mohill. She married, had six children, and was a relatively young widow, when my grandfather, Frank D. Byrne, Sr. (first generation Irish American) who was an NYPD officer, died. She became a licensed practical nurse, and later hired me for my first job in healthcare as an orderly (male nursing assistant) in the nursing home where she worked. My youngest sister, Phylis Byrne-Driscoll, continues the family tradition as an NYPD captain. She herself was honorary grand marshal of the Queens County (NY) St. Patrick's Day Parade in 2008.
I grew up in New York City (Staten Island), and enjoyed marching in the legendary NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade, up Fifth Avenue and past St. Patrick's Cathedral, with the Msgr. Farrell High School Marching Band. I've also marched in the Cleveland, Ohio, St. Patrick's Day Parade with the University of Notre Dame Marching Band. I'm a graduate of Notre Dame, Carnegie Mellon University (Masters) and State University of New York (MD).
My wife Cindy is Irish by association, as we met at Notre Dame on February 11, 1972. We were married on June 16, 1973. She is a graduate of City University of New York (undergraduate) and Indiana University (Masters).
Our older daughter, Shannon Byrne, will be joining us for the parade. She'll be traveling from her home in Atlanta, GA, where she works in the insurance industry. She is a graduate of Indiana University (both undergraduate and MBA).
Our younger daughter, Lindsay Byrne, is a third year law student at University of Oregon and is not able to join us. She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame.
Our son Michael is a senior at Edgewood High School.
We are members of Blessed Sacrament parish, and enjoy volunteering with the Notre Dame Club of South Central Wisconsin serving dinner at St. Martin House at the Catholic Multicultural Center. I'm also privileged to serve on the board of Madison Community Foundation. Cindy, a teacher by profession, has volunteered in local schools, and Michael serves on the United Way of Dane County "By Youth, For Youth" committee.
Our family came to Madison seven years ago when I was fortunate to be named president of St. Mary's Hospital. Prior to that, we lived in Fort Wayne, Indiana for 22 years where I practiced pulmonary & critical care medicine and worked in hospital administration.
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