Monsignor Paul Byrnes

Monsignor Paul Alphonsus Byrnes, 84, of Swanton went to be with his Lord on Wednesday, August 19, 2020, at his home on Deep Creek Lake.

Born on February 26, 1936, in Lonaconing, he was the son of the late Alphonsus and Florence (Nicol) Byrnes.

Monsignor Byrnes attended St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School in Midland until he left for seminary at the conclusion of eighth grade. He completed high school at St. Charles College and went on to receive a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy from St. Mary's Minor Seminary and, later, was granted a License of Sacred Theology from St. Mary's Seminary. In. 1971, he obtained a Master of Arts degree from Columbia University. He was ordained a Deacon in 1961 and was ordained to the priesthood on May 26, 1962. He was named a chaplain of honor by St. John Paul II in 2003.

Monsignor Byrnes, prior to his retirement in 2006, served the following parishes: St. Mary, Hagerstown; St. Joseph, Cockeysville; St. Peter, Westernport; St. Patrick, Cumberland; St. Mary, Cumberland; St. Mary, Lonaconing; St. Michael, Frostburg; St. Gabriel Mission, Barton; St. Ann, Grantsville; and St. Patrick, Mount Savage. Other appointments included chaplain at Bishop Walsh High School, Director of the Preparatory Seminary Program and Vocations Counselor at Cardinal Gibbons High School, Director of the Total Christian Education Center of Western Maryland, Vicar Forane for the Western Vicariate, and was appointed to the College of Consultors on January 3, 2003.

Following his retirement, he continued to reside at his home in Garrett County and provide sacramental assistance at various parishes in the area.

He loved living in Garrett County and sharing new experiences. Just days before his death, he was showing a new road to family and gushed over the beauty around them.

He is survived by two sisters, Eileen Lewis of Lonaconing and Diana Byrnes of Portland, OR; nephews and nieces, Dale R. Lewis, Jr. and wife Michelle of Palmyra, PA, Michael P. Lewis and wife Abby of Moundsville, WV, Joseph M. Lewis and wife Sheila of Barton, Maria Lewis and partner Kenny Harris of Lonaconing, Beth Butler and husband Rusty of Lonaconing, and Dylan Byrnes and wife Beven of Portland, OR; great nephews and nieces, Jordan Lewis, Tressa Clark and husband Jason, Renae Foutz and husband Josh, Robert Fazzalore and wife Jaime, Jasmine Lewis Pritts and husband Josh, Erin Lewis Reyes and husband Miguel, Eric Johnson and wife Carlie, Jodie Lewis Sweeney and husband Kirk, Maggie Lewis Drew and husband Derek, Carlie Lewis Peck and husband Quinten, Chrissy Clark Ujcic and husband Dave, Brian Clark and wife Jennifer, Kirby Butler, Jasper Byrnes, Grace Blair-Byrnes, Daphne Byrnes and Dahlia Byrnes; great great nephews and nieces, Jocelyn Lewis, Chase Clark and wife Billie Jean, Colton Clark and partner Candace Robison, Calan Clark and partner Allie Blank, Zachary Foutz, Isabella Fazzalore, Ilario Fazzalore, Ryan Reyes, Seth Johnson, Leighton Johnson, Emrick Johnson, Kenzo Sweeney, Leon Drew, Ruby Drew, Cambrya Clark and Cash Clark; and many dear friends and colleagues.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother in law, Dale R. Lewis, Sr.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Peter's at the Lake Center, 1140 Mosser Rd, McHenry, MD 21541, on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, at 11 AM with Archbishop William E. Lori. Friends will be received for one hour prior to the Mass. Face masks are required, social distancing will be observed and we ask that, if you or anyone in your home is feeling ill, you stay home and join via livestream. If you are planning to attend the Mass, you may want to bring a chair for outdoor seating.

Livestreaming of the Mass will be available at www.csfredlockfh.com by following the link to Fr. Paul's obituary and scrolling to the bottom of the page.

Private famiy interment will take place in Saint Mary's Cemetery, Lonaconing.

Nothing would have pleased Fr. Paul more than for donations in his memory to be made to your local church.

The C & S Fredlock Funeral Home, P.A., Oakland is honored to be caring for Father Paul's family at this time.