Norwood, MA- Byron Calder Wyche passed away peacefully on June 21, having received wonderful end-of-life care after a diagnosis of lung cancer. “Blue-eyed Byron” was born to Elizabeth Calder Wyche and Joseph Thomas Wyche on June 8, 1946 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Wyche family settled in Whiteville, North Carolina, where Byron grew up with his siblings Charlotte, Alexander, Richard, and Frank. His childhood stories describe a youth of playing in the swamps with gators and snakes, stealing tractors, and starting forest fires, which none of Byron’s suburban kids can truly fathom. These were the days when kids weren’t welcome home until after dinner and boy did Byron know how to have fun.
He moved from the small city of Whiteville to the big city of Boston, Massachusetts, in his 20s, keeping a bit of his twang and all of his southern charm. His friends tempted him north with a fake job offer when in reality they just wanted to hang out with him more. Many felt that way about Byron.
In New England he met and married the love of his life, Helen Gormley, who he described as the “most beautiful woman in the world.” Their anniversary is on April 24, 1981 and Byron would want that in writing because Helen forgets their anniversary year often. Marrying her was the best decision he ever made and what helped him to live as long and as happily as he did.
Byron was incredibly proud of the three children they raised together, Maggie Glos, Carole Wyche, and Eric Wyche. He got to see them all happily settled with the loves of their lives: Matt Glos, Scott Priest, and Rose Perriello. He will be remembered as “G-Daddy” by his loving grandkids Sophie Elizabeth Glos and Abigail Isla Glos and the yet-to-be-born “Cletus the Fetus” Priest, who got to spend a lot of time with Byron in the last weeks.
Byron would want it remembered that he was “handsome when it mattered,” an incredible bridge player, and one heck of an athlete, captaining his basketball, baseball, and football teams in high school before deciding that girls and partying were worth more of his time in college. He attended Wake Forest University, class of 68’, where he joined the Sigma Chi fraternity, made lifelong friends, and got into plenty of mischief. Most of his career took place at the company Si-cal, where he started in the plastics factory before working his way up to president of the company. He joked that as president you do less work.
He had many notable achievements in life but some favorites include: hitchhiking to work for a full year from Brighton to Framingham (it was the 70s), being the sole finisher of a 50-mile walk with friends after President Kennedy’s challenge, and perfecting homemade raspberry jelly. He was also an excellent cook but preferred to share those skills only on days he could be appreciated and praised by crowds, like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Maggie will now carry that torch.
He was an avid gardener, and because his yard didn’t supply enough land to satisfy his passion he got an additional lot in the Norwood Community Garden. This year his son Eric and partner Rose will attempt to fill his shoes. He gave them excellent guidance on how to plant okra, which just sprouted flowers to let us know his legacy lives on.
In addition to trying lots of things, he also quit many things over the years. That list included smoking and drinking, both amazingly hard-won battles, and several jobs when the perfect opportunity came along, like that trip of a lifetime to the Florida Keys. He would want you all to do the same if desire strikes. He also recommends taking a day of vacation for your birthday every year--better if you can take the whole week!
Because he was so charismatic and so loved there are too many stories to share here. Nothing would make him or us happier than to have more stories circulating to help prove that he was quite possibly always the most interesting man in the room. We’ll be keeping him alive in the stories we tell and hope you will too! Please share your stories of Byron with the family at the email address [email protected] or include them in cards and letters of remembrance.
Because of the current health pandemic, Byron’s services will be held at a later date.
Donations can be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, PO Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284.
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