John-Michael Byers of Medford, age 52, died on Saturday, February 1, 2020 after a long battle with cancer. A lifelong Medford resident, John, or as we called him, “Johnny”, was well known throughout the City of Medford for being politically active and fighting for causes near and dear to him. He was enthusiastic and dedicated to volunteering on the campaign trail for those individuals he called friends. His love for his hometown and hopes to improve it were evident when he attended the City Council meetings where he adorned the front row seat; he was proud to call Medford home.
On any given day you would see Johnny driving all over the city on his bike, with his headphones on, most likely listening to sports talk radio. John was the most passionate and loyal Boston Red Sox and Boston Celtics fan, never missing a game. Nearly every day on WEEI sports talk radio, you’d be sure to hear Johnny, known to all as “John from Medford”, eager to discuss any and all topics relevant to the day; his love of the teams and players that brought him such joy were always a topic of discussion. Johnny was a dedicated supporter of both “The Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association” and “The Jimmy Fund”, where he would walk the city streets, going house to house collecting donations for both organizations. But, more than anything, the thing that he loved most of all, was his family. Johnny would have done anything for anyone of them without hesitation. He was selfless and lived his life on his terms, his way.
John is survived by his parents Angela (Amico) Cintron and her husband Alex, John D. Byers and his wife Sandra (Smith), brother Phil Byers and his wife Stephanie (Ricciardi) and nephew Philip Byers, Jr., sister Danielle Byers Anderson and her husband Robert, step-sister Susan (Wade) Cappuccio, her husband Frank and their daughter Alyssa. He is the beloved grandson of the late Michael Amico and Frances (Coniglio) and the late Donald Byers and Natalie (Fratto). He also leaves behind many aunts, uncles and cousins and his cat Twinkie.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to visit at the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St, Medford on Thursday evening February 6th from 4 through 8 with a prayer service to honor John at 7:30 PM. Cremation will follow.
In lieu of flowers please honor Johnny's memory by making a contribution to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Division of Development/Jimmy Fund, PO Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168 or to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, 33 Lyman Street, Westborough, MA 01581.