JOHN ANTHONY BYRNE SR.

Dec. 25, 1941-March 29, 2009

On a bright, warm, sunny Florida Keys kind of day, "Captain Jack" lived his last day in his home on Little Torch Key with Marilyn, his wife of 42 years, by his side when he departed from here in paradise to be back home with his heavenly father. Jack was the youngest son of James F. Byrne Sr. and Mildred Virginia Brennan-Byrne of West Roxbury and Lynnfield, Mass.

Born in Boston, Jack resided at 45 Oriole St. in West Roxbury and attended St. Theresa's Elementary Parochial School, St. Mary's Parochial High School in Brookline, and was a 1963 graduate from Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay, Mass. He was a lieutenant junior in the U.S. Coast Guard. He sailed worldwide to the ports in both the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean as second mate for American Export Lines of Hoboken, N.J. After sailing foreign seas he met and married his wife, Marilyn Roman of Holden, Mass., and resided in Hyannis, Mass., on Cape Cod, where they had two children, Susan and John Jr. When he came ashore, Jack taught science and mathematics at Lyle Junior High School in Bourne, Mass.

Later he was employed by HY-LINE INC. and became the general manager and owner of the company. He retired and for his "fun job" returned to teaching accelerated algebra in the Sandwich School System in Sandwich, Mass., where he was known as the ultimate example of patience and kindness to students there. He also started a lawn care service with his son John known as the "Lawn Stylist" Company. He retired four years ago to the Florida Keys.

Jack was a member of St. Xavier Parish in Hyannis, Mass., and St. Peter Church of Big Pine Key. He was a member of the Hyannis Yacht Club, Fr. McSwiney Council of the Knights of Columbus, Cape Cod Association of Retarded Citizens, Massachusetts Retired Teachers Assoc. Hyannis BPOE Lodge No. 1549, a volunteer for the Southernmost Runners Club of Key West and a member of and educational instructor for the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 13-03 of Big Pine Key. Besides telling lengthy "tales" to friends and family in front of his fireplace in his home on Cape Cod, he spent as much time as he could enjoying the many gifts of the Florida Keys. He leaves behind his daughter, Susan Byrne of Sandwich, Mass.; and son, John Byrne Jr., husband to Jennifer Gray-Byrne, formerly of Derry, N.H.; his loving grandson, Jack, age 7, and granddaughter, Julia, age 1, all of Norton, Mass.

On Tuesday, April 7, 2009, at 11 a.m. there will be a Mass at St. Peter Church, 31300 Overseas Highway, Big Pine Key, followed by a collation in the church hall. A flotilla will begin at 2 p.m. for the distribution of ashes from the Bahia Honda bridge by the U.S. Coast Guard Station of Marathon. At 6 p.m. there will be a bereavement ceremony at the Big Pine Key Moose Lodge No. 1585, Watson Boulevard, Big Pine Key.

Dean-Lopez Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, kindly send all donations to the May Institute, 550 Main St., Route 130, Mashpee, MS 02649. There will be additional services in Hyannis, Mass., on Friday, Aug. 7, 2009.

HAYDEN D. SMITH

Hayden Dow Smith, beloved son of William and Margaret Smith, passed away on Friday, Feb. 20, 2009. Hayden was 47 years old and died of natural causes. He was employed by the Monroe County school district. Hayden loved Key West and his many good friends.

He is survived by his parents of Port Orange, Fla.; his brother, Justin, sister-in-law, Kami; nephew, Shane, and niece, Molly; grandparents, Frank and Marjorie Bell, all in Pennsylvania, and his faithful dog, Willie.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 11, 2009, at the Dean-Lopez Funeral Home, 418 Simonton St., Key West, Fla. Following the service, family and friends are invited to the Rusty Anchor on Stock Island.

The Dean-Lopez Funeral Home is entrusted with all funeral arrangements.

PAUL W. MAURER

Paul W. Maurer, 82, of Spanish Lakes Fairways, in Fort Pierce, Fla., died Wednesday, April 1, 2009, at the Indian River Medical Center in Vero Beach, Fla.

Mr. Maurer was born March 23, 1927, in New York, N.Y., and moved to Spanish Lakes Fairways seven years ago from West Columbia, Texas.

He received his master's degree from Brooklyn Poly Technical Institute and prior to his retirement worked for Conoco Phillips as a chemical engineer. Mr. Maurer's lifelong career in the petrochemical refining industry included assignments in Ponca City and Bartlesville, Okla.; Pampa and Borger, Texas; and Stavanger, in Norway. Mr. Maurer was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army, where, as a fluent German speaker, he played an important role in processing German prisoners of war in post-war occupied Berlin. He was also a member of the Spanish Lakes Bridge Club.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Elizabeth J. Maurer of Fort Pierce; daughter, Cassandra Childs of Weaverville, N.C.; sons, Paul W. Maurer, M.D., of Key West, Fla., and Richard H. Maurer, Esq., of Philadelphia, Pa.; and four grandchildren.

At the request of the family, services will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301 Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301.

Arrangements are under the direction of Cox-Gifford-Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach, Fla. Condolences may be sent through www.seawindsfh.com/ obit.php.