Robert F. Byers
Loving Husband, Father and Papa
TEWKSBURY: Robert F. Byers, age 74, a resident of Tewksbury for 49 years, passed away from an apparent heart attack, at the Norwood Hospital on Saturday, December 7, 2013, after witnessing the victory of the Tewksbury Redmen Football Team in the Eastern Massachusetts High School Football Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro.
He was the beloved husband of Lorraine E. (Marks) Byers, with whom he celebrated 54 years of marriage.
Born in Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania on February 13, 1939, he was the son of the late Byron D. Byers and the late Myrtle (Hunter) Byers.
Mr. Byers was raised in Penn Hills, PA and graduated from Penn Hills High School.
In 1956, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served aboard the U.S.S. Iowa.
Prior to his retirement, he worked as a driver for several transportation and trucking companies.
Mr. Byers was a 47 year member of the Tewksbury-Wilmington Elks Lodge # 2070.
He was an avid sports fan and particularly enjoyed following the Pittsburgh Steelers and local high school football. In addition, he enjoyed pitching horseshoes, walking, traveling on cruises with his wife, and the annual family vacation to Hampton Beach.
Besides his beloved wife, he is survived by five children, Cheryl Conley and her husband Ed of Billerica, Sandra Tibbetts and her husband Richard of Tewksbury, Maureen Testa and her husband Jeffrey of Pepperell, Bob Byers and his wife Laura of Windham, NH and Jill Zaher and her husband Ken of Chelmsford; one sister, Diana Linder of New Jersey; one brother, Dave Byers of Georgia; 17 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews.
Mr. Byers was the brother of the late Vivian, Ethel, Grace and Vernon.
Calling hours will be Thursday, Dec. 12, from 4-8 p.m., at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury. His funeral will be held Friday, Dec. 13, at 9 a.m. from the funeral home, followed by his Funeral Service at 10 a.m. at the Tewksbury United Methodist Church, 2335 Main St., Rte. 38, Tewksbury. Interment at Tewksbury Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Huntington's Disease Society of America, www.hdsa.org, 505 Eighth Ave., # 902, New York, NY 10018.