John P. O’Byrne, Jr, known to most as Jack, passed away peacefully at the age of 87 on Thursday, May 27. He will be dearly missed by his loving family who cherished his kindness, integrity, work ethic, and subtle wit.

Jack, the son of John and Helen O’Byrne, was born July 28, 1933, in Bridgeport, Conn., and raised in Stratford, Conn., with his older brother and two younger sisters.

Jack attended Fairfield Preparatory school and then Fairfield University, where he graduated with honors in 1955. He was recognized by the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants as the highest-ranking member of his class in the field of accounting.

In 1956, Jack married Patty Colliday, also of Stratford, and joined the United States Army, where he served for three years. After returning from the service, Jack and Patty moved to Newtown, where they raised three children.

Jack opened his own certified public accounting firm and was a trusted advisor to businesses and individuals throughout greater Fairfield County for more than 40 years. In 2002, Jack merged his practice with another firm before retiring in his mid-70s.

Jack served for over ten years as a member of the board of directors for the Newtown branch of the Connecticut National Bank and as treasurer and member of the board of trustees for the Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corp. He served on the board of Newtown’s Housing for the Elderly (Nunnawauk Meadows) for ten years, where he was president during a significant period of expansion. Jack was also a volunteer at St Rose of Lima Church and a member of the Order of Alhambra in his younger years. For fun, Jack enjoyed tennis, playing cards, and going out to dinner with family and friends.

In 1985, Jack met Dorothea Laing and they married in 2002. Together they enjoyed summers in Rhode Island and Maine, visiting family, traveling to national parks, and tennis with friends.

Jack is survived by his three children, Beth O’Byrne and fiancé, Ron Levenson, of Andover, Mass., John O’Byrne and wife, Kim, of Lakewood, Colo., and Trish Wright of Tewksbury, Mass. He is also survived by his three grandchildren, Kalyn, Heidi, and Michael; and sister, Eileen Hall, of Anchorage, Alaska. Jack also leaves behind Dorothea’s loving family, sister-in-law Joan Roberts of Mystic, Conn; Joan’s daughter, Linda Roberts, and companion, Jeffrey Flor, of Cheshire, Mass.; and grandchildren, Gary, Jessica, and Rebecca.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to his caretaker, Leticia, for her support, kindness, and devotion to Jack.

A memorial service will be held on June 26 at 11 am at the Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street.

Donations can be made to the M Wright Trust payable to Charles Schwab (F/B/O M. Wright Trust), 8 Indian Hill Road, Tewksbury MA 01876; to Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps, P.O. Box 344, Newtown CT 06470; or to Hospitality Hall Food Pantry, 14 West Street, Newtown CT 06470.