J. Paul Byron

SOUTHERN PINES: The Reverend J. Paul Byron, 89, died March 15, 2011 in Pinehurst, NC. He was born in Cohoes, New York on May 2, 1921 to the late William J. Byron and Theresa English Byron. Father Byron was also preceded ineeath by his three brothers, Frank Byron, William Byron and the Reverend Joseph Byron. J. Paul Byron attended the Vincentian Institute and Niagara Uneersity. After discerning a vocation to the Priesthood, he entered St. Boneenture College in Olean, New York for studies in Philosophy and then St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, New York and Christ the King Seminary in Olean, New York for studies in Theology and for priestly formation. Father Byron was ordained a Catholic Priest for the Diocese of Raleigh on June 15, 1946. During his priestly life, Father Byroneerved in many parishes throughout North Carolina, when the Diocese of Raleigh comprised the entire State. His assignments to priestly ministry included the following: the Missionary Apostolate at Sacred Heart, Whiteville with its missions ineelco and Tabor City; St. John the Evangelist, Waynesville; the Missionary Apostolate, Motor Chapel, and St. Catherine of Siena, Wake Forest; Sacred Heart Cathedral, St. Joseph, Asheboro; St. Egbert, Morehead City; Immaculate Conception, Durham; the founding pastor of St. Gabriel Charlotte; Infant of Prague, Jacksonville; Sacred Heart, Brevard; St. Joan of Arc, Asheville; St. Peter, Greenville; St. Thomas More, Chapel Hill; St. Raphael, Raleigh, from where he retired in 1996. Following retirement, Father Byron continued to generously serve many parishes in priestly ministry, including Holy Family, Hillsborough; St. Matthew, Durham; St. Catherine of Siena, Wake Forest; St. Michael the Archangel, Cary; and St. Berneette, Butner. Father Byron additionally served as founding Director for the Bishop's Annual Appeal, founding Director of the Cursillo Movement in the Diocese of Raleigh and as a member of the Board of Directors for the National Liturgical Conference. Visitation will be held at St. Raphael Catholic Church, 5801 Falls of the Neuse Road, Raleigh on Friday, March 18th beginning at 6:00PM with the Vigil for the Deceased prayed at 7:00PM with the Reverend Thomas R. Davis serving as Presider and Homilist. The Visitation will then continue until 8:00 PM. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00AM on Saturday, March 19th at St. Raphael Catholic Church, with the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Principal Celebrant, the Reverend Donald Staib, Homilist, and Diocesan and Religious Priests as Concelebrants for the Mass. Interment will follow immediately at St. Matthew Cemetery located at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 1001 Mason Road, Durham. Arrangements are with Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, Durham. On-line memorials: hallwynne.com. Select Obits,