Chris Byron, a retired Superior Court judge and decorated Korean War veteran, died Tuesday. He was 82.
Colleagues described Byron, a Rochester resident who died unexpectedly at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, as a brilliant lawyer and judge who was strong-willed and demanding but fair. "He had great integrity, absolute integrity," said David McLaughlin, a retired Superior Court judge who worked as a law partner with Byron in the 1970s. "There was never any question about that when you worked for him."
His sister, Joanne, said he cared about all people, regardless of their backgrounds. "I will remember him for his wonderful sense of humor, and his patience and love for so many people," she said.
His friends and family also remembered him as a war hero and avid sailor who was proud of his Greek heritage.
"He was very devoted to his family as a husband, father, grandfather, brother and son," said daughter Christina Byron in an e-mail message. "He and his wife enjoyed traveling together and sailing with their family. He loved skiing, gardening, dancing, singing, storytelling and talking to anyone and everyone and was a huge history buff."
Born in New Bedford, he was raised in Buzzards Bay, one of five children of James and Evelyn Byron.
He served in the Army from 1948 to 1952. As a lieutenant with the 70th Tank Battalion in Korea, Byron lost an eye. He was wounded four times during his service. He won the Silver and Bronze stars for gallantry in action, the Purple Heart with two oak leaf clusters, the Korean Service Medal and the Republic of Korea Presidential Citation.
In 1974, Gov. Francis W. Sargent appointed Byron to the Third District Court. Five years later, he was appointed associate justice of the Superior Court by Gov. Edward King.
Although Byron never sought a judgeship in the first place, Sargent pleaded with him to take the district court position. Byron insisted that people substantiate their arguments with facts, not just broad strokes, McLaughlin said. "He expected you to be prepared," he said. "He did not grant favor to anybody because of the size of their law firm or their age or their background. It was the performance in the courtroom that counted."
As a judge, Byron was thoughtful and capable, said John M. Xifaras, also a former Superior Court judge. "When you tried a case in front of Chris Byron, you got a fair trail," Xifaras said.
Attorney Jack Folan said when a lawyer brought an important legal issue to Byron, he would always listen, and he was never afraid to make decisions. After Byron retired in 1993, he would visit Folan's office on Saturdays, and they would talk about the law and other matters. "He was someone who was always engaged in what was going on," Folan said. "He was interested in everything that you could think of. He was a lawyer's lawyer and a judge's judge."
Byron is survived by his wife, Priscilla, daughters Christina of San Francisco and Dimitra Dugal of Wyoming, grandchildren Brendan, Addison and Elijah, brothers Charles of Florida and Alexander and his wife Suzanne, his sisters Flo and Joanne, and nephews, nieces.
His Funeral Service will be held on Monday, March 15th at 11 AM in St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 186 Cross Rd., Dartmouth. Burial will follow in the Massachusetts National Cemetery. Visiting hours Sunday, March 14th from 3-7 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6) Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Saint George Greek Orthodox Church or the Neediest Family Fund.