Joey, we have never met, but this news is quite leveling. Joe and I met 19 years ago at Kinkos on Greene St in Columbia.  He spoke of you like he was painting.

He and I once traveled to Nova Scotia, Canada and toured fishing villages for two weeks, photographs of which later became subjects of several paintings...    When visiting with him one day with my family, he said "See, I paint my experience.".      
We had connected with each other every year or so and had made tentative plans to get to get her after the covid freakout claimed down...     Today I am in West Columbia and tried his number which is now disconnected which prompted me to search for an obituary.

Knowing who Joe was and being connected with his process makes his passing feel like Columbia lost a tremendous amount of substance.

Joe introduced me to gardening with a massive vegetable jungle in his back yard. And from his passion to grow, paint and relate, I found my own creative validation.

     Since my father’s passing I’ve been very devastated and trying to deal with his loss. I not only lost a wonderful and loving father but also a great friend. There is a huge void in my life now and I miss my father so much. 
        I really admired his talent and passion he shared with us through his artwork. Even more importantly I admired him as a good hearted person and I will always be proud of him for being so caring and for being so generous to me. 
           Hopefully, one day we will meet again and be together. That way we can joke, laugh, and have great conversations once again. Always remember my heart and thoughts are with you, I love and miss you father.

My husband and  I met Joe through the Pickney gallery in Beaufort. Over time, we corresponded with him and stopped into the home/studio in Columbia to buy a piece.  We liked him immensely and he gave me three small starting pieces he had worked on. I bought a print of a old barn as well, I recently painted my home office and, as I too the four pieces down, I reflected on how much I loved them and said "I need to tell Joe how much they mean to me".  when we reached out a few weeks ago, we found out he had passed a few months ago. He was a unique enjoyable person and I will truly treasure those pieces.. Rest in peace, Joe, I wish we had the ability to have gotten one more piece from you. I love them all. 

Joe was always one of my very best friends. We spoke just about every day about his fabulous work as well as daily things that passed on a regular basis. I visited him at the hospital a day before he passed and although I talked for the longest time without any response and left his room in tear’s. The following day I called and was told that he had passed. 
I was really shocked and felt numb all over as I 
could not get his image out of my head. 
Joe left this world not owing anyone a penny piece May his soul rest in peace and hopefully meet up with our great mutual  friend Stan who passed away six days before and both of them didn’t  know about the others passing.
Farewell my great friends you will always be in my thoughts for ever.
Alan Conway  
 

Joseph and I shared many days together at SCETV and also away from work. He was always upbeat and adventurous and one of the most talented artists I had the fortune of being close to and there were many. We lost touch for some years as the measures of time and distance so often bring about. We reconnected long distance recently by phone and email and were planning to get together in person...well, and then this covid thing. He loved his motorcycles and scuba diving and although we weren't in touch when he took up flying we were looking around for an appropriate airstrip for him to use to fly to Kentucky for a visit. I regret that never transpired.
Happy trails dear friend, you have a special place in my heart and my memories. Thank you for your time with me. 

I only know of him through his son "Joey".  However, if the great spirit and attitude of Joey is indication of the man he was, then I am at a loss that I did not have an opportunity to meet him.  I send my condolences and prayers to all his family and friends.

Our deepest condolences to the Byrne family and to all who loved Joe. We will miss our neighbor and friend.   

My sincere condolences to the family,Death leaves a heartache no one can heal,however love leaves a memory no one can steal,  My thoughts and prayers to the family. 

Joesph was a great character and customer of mine.  Only knew him for about 5 to 6 years, but he always made me laugh.  He was an amazing artist and friend.  His memory will always live on within me, as well as in his portfolio of fine art paintings.

OBITUARY

Joseph George Byrne Jr.

16 November, 1945 – 24 May, 2022

Dunbar Funeral Home (Devine)

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