Robert "Bob" Joseph Byrne, 77, died peacefully at home on March 11, 2021 after a rapid health decline resulting from lung disease.  Born in Concord, NH on August 12, 1943 to Leo and Mary (Cate) Byrne, he was raised in Concord with his brother, Charles, who preceded him in death in February 2018.

Bob was a kind, gentle, quiet, hard-working and humble soul who would give you the shirt off his back and do anything to help another person.  He grew up just up the street from White Park in Concord and spent a lot of time ice skating and sledding in the park during winter months, where he also took his own children to skate and sled when they were young.  Bob and his brother had a two-man band, him on drums and his brother on accordion, from their pre-teen years into high school, where they played at weddings, nursing homes and other community functions. After graduating from Concord High School in 1961, Bob enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Sacramento California, serving from 1961-1965 as a teletype operator; he was a proud veteran.  In February 1965, he married Joellen Boyden and, together, they raised 4 children.  After being discharged from the USAF, they moved back to the Concord area, eventually settling in Loudon in 1975.  He worked for Universal Paper in Nashua and then went to work for the Richard D Brew Company in Concord until 1967 upon entering the electrical supply business.  He worked for Evans Radio, both in Concord and Portsmouth, where he worked until they closed in the 1980's.  At that time, he was hired by Seamans Electrical Supply in Portsmouth, where he continued to work until his retirement in 2006, despite the company being bought out and going through 2 names changes (CLS and Rexel Electrical Supply Co.).

Bob enjoyed being outdoors, fishing, camping, vegetable gardening and hunting – something which he did every year with his son, Larry, from the time his son was about 11 years old and was an regular volunteer with both his sons' Boy Scout troops. He also enjoyed square dancing, craft projects and tinkering with things to make them work; he was the original McGyver and could fashion anything from anything, especially if it meant he didn't have to spend any money; he would tell you he was so cheap that he squeaked when he walked and he saved everything in case he might need it later.  Bob liked people and talking with them once a conversation was started and, though not outgoing, could make fast friends with almost anyone.

He is survived by his wife, Joellen, and his children:  Larry (Mary) Byrne of N. Stratford, NH; Marilyn (Paul) Nylen of Webster, NH; Kim (Ted) Souhrada of LeClaire, IA and his grandchildren:  Sierra and Danielle Byrne of Winston-Salem, NC, Matthew and Kathleen Paquette of N. Stratford, NH,  Rachael and Michael Souhrada of LeClaire, IA.  He is also survived by sisters-in-law Peta Byrne and Jeanette Ball as well as many nieces and nephews.  Preceding him in death are another beloved son, Tony - September 1993, his parents, his brother, Charlie, mother and father-in-law Curt & Ruby and his brother-in-law, Jay.

His family will receive relatives and friends for walk-through visiting hours on Friday March 19 from 5 to 7 PM at Waters Funeral Home, 50 S. Main St., Concord, NH. ***Masks and social distancing are required.

A graveside funeral service with military honors will be held on Sat March 20 at 11AM in the Blossom Hill Cemetery, Concord.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Loudon American Legion Post 88, American Lung Association or the Payson Cancer Center in Concord, NH.