St. Michael's Catholic Church
379 Division St., Cobourg
MacCoubrey Funeral Home Reception Centre
30 King Street East, Cobourg
This obituary is protected by copyright by MacCoubrey Funeral Home Limited. Proudly serving Northumberland County in the province of Ontario, Canada. All rights reserved.
It is with heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Richard (Dick) Byrne on Friday, May 30, 2025 at Northumberland Hills Hospital in Cobourg.
Dick was born on May 13, 1949 in Castledermot, Co. Kildare, Ireland.
Dick is pre-deceased by his beloved parents Molly and Paddy, sister Christene, and brother Paddy.
He leaves behind his partner of 46 years Brenda, daughter Kelly (Koray), sister Peggy in Ireland, brothers Jim (Mary), Michael (Frances), and special friend Brandon Jones.
Dick was a passionate and creative soul. He had a lifelong love for art, writing, poetry, hunting, and fishing, and he had a great respect for nature.
He was also an avid pipeband drummer, a role that brought him great joy and camaraderie with his fellow musicians. He was proud to be a part of the vibrant community of pipers and drummers, where his rhythmic skill and energy were widely admired as the lead drummer.
His stories of adventures in the wild, along with his deep knowledge of the outdoors, were beloved by friends and family alike.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, June 7th at 1:30 p.m. at St. Michael the Arc Angel Church at 379 Division Street, Cobourg. Family and friends, and all who knew Dick are invited to join in remembering his life and legacy. In lieu of flowers, donations to the MS Society or the Alzheimer Society are appreciated.
Special thanks to Dr. Mule and the palliative care team at the Northumberland Hills Hospital for their kind and passionate care.
Dick will be greatly missed, but his memory will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing him, especially in the stories he told, the music he played, and the love he shared with his daughter, Kelly. Rest in peace.
A reception to follow the Mass will be held at the MacCoubrey Funeral Home at 30 King Street East, Cobourg.
It's with sadness I just heard today of Dick s Death ,Rip As Sea s separate us As family,, And life goes in different ways, It's hard to keep up , 💚💚💚 From hear in Barnhill Castledermot, We send specially to you His loving Daughter and Partner. Our sincere heartfelt Love and sympathy On your great loss , also to Jimmy , Michael,and Peggy And extended families, We remember you all In our prayers 💚🙏,💚🙏 In time when Those dark days pass. (And the will ) I hope the happy memories You have of good times Shared together, Will let you remember Dick And smile again, 💚🙏💚🙏💚 Gone to rest in god's garden, With no more pain and suffering,,,,💚💚💚💚 Rest in peace,
Sending heartfelt condolences to Brenda and family. Dick was a wonderful neighbour to my parents (Ken and Eleanor Dolley) when he moved there in the late 80’s. Always quick witted, kind and friendly, he quickly became known to our family. He became a close friend and hunting buddy of my brother (Randy) which was a friendship he cherished . We always enjoyed seeing Dick with the pipe band at highland games or parades as well. We have missed his visits to our home where he would stop for a chat on his way to scope hunting territory . Sorry for your loss . Drew and Tracy Bagshaw and family
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Multiple Sclerosis Society
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Alzheimer Society
Brenda, Kelly, Peig, Jimmy, Michael & his Cousin Billy. So sorry to hear of Dick's passing. May his soul Rest In Peace. Thanks for all the good memories Dick!
Sorry to hear of Dicks passing. Sincere condolences to Brenda and the Byrne family we have many fond memories of good times together and we are thinking of you all at this difficult time. Happy hunting Dick.
Dear Brenda, my deepest Condolences on your loss of your, Dear Dick. So sad. Sending lots of love, hugs and prayers. My thoughts are with you, may Dick rest in peace. Love Always, Leona XOXO
Sorry to hear of dicks passing condolences to his family and friends may his gentle soul rest in peace
Sincere condolences to Brenda and Kelly and to the Byrne family on the sad loss of Dick. May he rest in peace. Mick and Mary Kelly, formerly Abbey view Cartledermot and Ardclough
Brenda, So very sorry for your loss. Please know that you and Dick are in my thoughts and prayers. Sending a very big hug from halfway across the world.
To Brenda, Kelly and the Byrne family. We are very sad to hear about Dick and thinking about him this weekend in Castledermot. Lots of good times to remember.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Multiple Sclerosis Society
Stand easy Dick.....
Brenda , so sorry to hear of Dicks passing. I always enjoyed his stories when I visited and the basement tours too. My heart goes out to you and my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Knew Dick for 45 yrs , a great guy that will be missed by so many .
Brenda I am so sorry to hear of Richard’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Wanted you to know I was thinking of you.
Brenda, Kelly, Michael, Frances, Jim and Mary we were very sorry to hear of the passing of your beloved brother Dick. You are all in our thoughts and prayers and May his soul rest in peace
Condolences to Brenda, Kelly, Peggy, Mick and Jim and the extended Byrne family on the sad passing of Dick, may you rest easy with the love ones gone before you, remembering our young days in Castledermot
Sincere Condolences to the Byrne Family
Sending our condolences to Brenda, the Byrne family and friends of Dick. We first met Dick when he moved next door to mum and dad’s farm in the late 80’s and enjoyed his company from day one. I spent many a day in the field and stream with Dick and I was with him the day that I caught my largest brown trout at his beloved “shamrock fishing club”. It was a pleasure to see his fondness of nature, especially in the sanctuary that he created around his home as it was always bustling with wildlife. We shared a love of reading and humour, with Patrick McManus stories giving us much to laugh about. I didn’t see as much of Dick after the farm was sold, but was fortunate enough to bring my son Morley along for one of my last visits. Morley was in awe of the displays in the basement and delighted when Dick gave him a moose antler. Morley still talks about it. Dick was always a good neighbour to mum and dad and was always willing to lend a hand, even if it involved an aggressive rooster. So many fond memories. Sorry for for your loss. Paul, Anita and boys
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Multiple Sclerosis Society
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Alzheimer Society
You will be dearly missed Dick. We may not have been as close as Brenda and I, but I will always remember you and you're love of hunting and bird watching. I remember Brenda bought me a bird book and a note book and we would write down every bird we saw. I read that the spiritual meaning of Red Cardinals is a sign of a loved one who has passed. They say the vibrant red bird is an uplifting, happy sign that those we have lost will live forever, so long as we keep their memory alive in our hearts. As Cardinals sing their pleasnt song, people may recall cherished memories of better times.
Deepest condolences Brenda, Kelly, Peggy, Jim, Mary, Mick, Frances and Teresa, on the loss of your loved one. Dick was quite the character and story teller, who will be deeply missed but always remembered.
To the family of Dick, we are very sorry for your loss. A great man and friend he was.
Rest in peace Dick from Billy Hickey and family in Chicago
Heartfelt sympathy to Brenda, Brandon, Kelly, Jimmy, Mick & Peggy on the death of Dick. He spent a lot of time in our house in Crophill, Castledermot, growing up & will be remembered by all who knew him. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Alzheimer Society
Dear Brenda and the Byrne family, I am very sorry to hear of Dick's passing. We will all miss him. He had a terrific and natural rythmic ability on the drums with the pipe band. He knew the patterns of music as well as anybody, even without seeing written music, as he had a very good ear for the cadence of tunes. And we have the music for a pipe tune he wrote himself which we will cherish in his memory. We enjoyed playing and listening to music together, including a couple of trips to Maxville over the years. With my sincere condolences, Michael
Len & I were very sorry to hear of Dick's passing, he was a very kind man and we sure enjoyed all of our chats at the shop. He will truly be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Len & Cindy Murphy
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Alzheimer Society of Ontario
Dearest Dick .. I was so sorry to hear of your passing , how I loved our ole crazy calls where we could literally spend the whole time talking about Crows, coyotes, squirrels , dogs and whatever critters that came up. You even christened me crow woman … which will make me smile whenever I think of it… I’m so delighted that you came to visit in 2017 and we got to drive up n down the by roads of Castledermot and talking about your wonderful childhood adventures. . It was such a blessing you got home with Mick that time. Killeshin pipe band night of course being a highlight and how they were so delighted to meet you. You were such a unique wonderful character Dick and you have left us with many a tale , including your memoir and poetry. Which we will treasure always My deepest condolences to Brenda , Jim, Michael , Kelley , Brandon , Frances , Mary and all your relatives and many many friends. .. who are going to miss you… but know that you are free from pain and illness and resting in peace and tranquility in heaven.., God bless you always Uncle Dick and God bless all who were lucky enough to have known and loved you. ☘️🕊️❣️
I was only 10 yrs old when Dick arrived. Right from the beginning Dick was a beautiful quiet baby with the most beautiful blue eyes. It brought me so much joy wheeling this little baby up and down the terrace . I loved him then and always have and always will. Dearest Dick may your beautiful soul be reunited with our loved ones in heaven … and until we meet again, thank you for your precious memories .. your loving sister Peig
Dick was a great man, cut from the old fabric that never fades. He was a true friend to my father Jack. They shared a love of mother nature and all her many creatures. I will never forget Dick and am proud to call him my friend. God bless you Dick. My condolences to Dick’s daughter Kelly, and all of the Byrne family.
A great man among men and Fine boy among boys. Had so many great hunts with Dick and gifted him with a Bowie knife with a handle of a shed he supplied . Enjoyed wonderful fellowship in his basement looking at his mounts. Having the odd smoke. Dick was such a kind and caring friend. He would open his freezer and gift me with wonderful venison treats. Scared the hell out of me with the Big white dog. Jack Russell I could handle. Will always be on my mind. Neck lace with gold plated trigger forvBrenda. For his special Lady . Keep the paradiddle sharp and a slug in the Barrell. I will keep you in my tobacco dream pouch. Travel well my friend. You are one in a million. Proud to know you. Enjoy your journey. Till we hunt again.
So very sorry to hear of Uncle Dick’s passing. Sincerest condolences to all who loved him. A man honest and true. He was our own cross between Jeremiah Johnson and Grizzly Adams. Rest well Dick. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilís. Carol Brian Seán and Adam.
Very sorry Brenda, Jimmy, Mick and Kelly to hear of Dick's passing. We would like to pass on our deepest sympathy. Dick was a good friend over the years. May he RIP
Dear Mike and Frances Our sincerest sympathy on the death of your brother/brother in law Dick . We will keep him in our thoughts and prayers Joe and Dot Maguire.
Sincere condolences to Brenda, Kelley, Jim, Michael and mam. Uncle Dick was always a legend for us when we were growing up. He always had the best and most exciting stories. May he rest in peace.
Very sad to hearing of Uncle Dick passing after a long illness bravely borne. A great character and kind human being who loved nature whether in Ireland or Canada.Condolences to Brenda and Jim and Michael and all family members, From Chris,Joan and girls in Ireland
Dick was a great friend to my Dad. (Randy) Dad would always share stories of their adventures hunting, almost always ending in a good laugh. I know he will be missed by so many. So sorry for your loss Brenda and Family.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Multiple Sclerosis Society-Northumberland Chapter
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Alzheimer Society of Ontario
R.I.P. Dick we had many good times, Mike Bell. Terrigal N.S.W. Australia.
Please accept our condolences on the passing of Dick. He will be well remembered. Mike & Geraldine O'Brien (Mississauga)
Brenda, Jim, Mick, Kelly, Brandon and family you are all in our thoughts and prayers. Dick was a part of our chosen family he will be missed. We will continue to share his stories and think of him often. Godspeed Dear Friend John and Paula Lang
R.I.P. Dick. Sorry to learn of his passing. He was a sound character. Condolences to Brenda and all the family circle. Anthony & Marian Mulligan, Co. Fermanagh, Ireland.
We extend our deepest condenses for the loss of Dick to the entire Byrne family. We both had the privilege of playing music with Dick and we were often amazed by his unique ability to recall any tune and whistle it out to the benefit of the entire pipe band. Each of those moments will always be a cherished memory of him. May your own memories also keep him close to your hearts today and each day that follows!