James Heber Byrnes

He was born on December 28, 1940, in Woodland, ME to Essie Elsmore and Heber Byrnes. He is the fourth child with four brothers and three sisters. He was a diligent, hardworking business owner with a witty personality and a dry sense of humor. He was the backbone of his family and could provide lessons on anything from finances to furnaces.

He began working at the early age of 15 as a foreman at a Portland, ME fish factory. During his employment at the fish factory, he met his future wife Sharon Ames, him being her boss. After six years of working at the fish factory he moved on to start a burner company with his brother-in-law Calvin, C.J. Burner Services, becoming sole owner of the company after many years in business. James and Sharon married on October 13, 1962, in Westbrook, ME and had their hands full with eight kids, four of their own and four from his younger years. In 1985 he sold the burner business and bought The Downeaster Motel in Scarborough, Maine. The Downeaster Motel would soon become the staple gathering spot for his entire family whether it be celebrations, pool days or sleepovers.

In his free time, he enjoyed things like playing cribbage and Skip Bo. He began playing cribbage with his father as a child and they played together up until his father passed away. James would continue to play Cribbage and Skip Bo with his cousin and aunts, even teaching his grandkids to play so they could join in on the fun. He was not much of a sports fan but did enjoy playing softball with the men of the Westbrook Assemblies of God in Westbrook, ME and watching Nascar with his brothers, rooting for Rusty Wallace and Dale Earnhardt Sr. He liked listening to Easy Listening Music, Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash or watching nature documentaries and old westerns starring John Wayne. He spent time traveling, taking his kids and grandkids camping, on cruises, and on adventures in his camper to places like Presque Isle, Mississippi, and Disney World. James has 20 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren; all who would insist they are his favorite.

In his later years and after many years of listening to Sharon educate him on church, faith, and Jesus Christ he became a born again Christian and attended the Lighthouse Christian Center. He very quickly became the go-to guy for the church and held many titles, but his official titles were Deacon, Church Board Member and Head Maintenance Man.

James is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Sharon A. Byrnes of Falmouth, ME; his children: James H. Byrnes Jr. and his partner Georgia of IA; Danny Byrnes of Buxton, ME; AnnMarie Kenney of CT; Sherrie Trull and her husband Al Trull and Diana Cofone and her husband Samuel Cofone of Scarborough, ME; James D. Byrnes and his Wife Heidi and Allen Byrnes and his wife Marylou of Falmouth, ME. His two brothers Darrell Byrnes of Westbrook, ME and Thomas Byrnes and his wife Sue of Steep Falls, ME, his brother-in-law Dougie Gee of South Portland, ME, and his sister-in-law Lillian Nevers of Yarmouth, ME and many grandkids, great grandkids, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by his father Heber Byrnes, his mother Essie Byrnes, his three sisters Elizabeth (Babe) Brasley, Patricia Gee and DonnaRose Byrnes, his three brothers Norman (Sunny) Byrnes, Bobby Byrnes and Donnie Byrnes and his son Robbie Byrnes.

Family and friends are invited to a time of visitation on Sunday June 2, 2024 from 3-6pm, at Jones, Rich, & Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St. Portland. A funeral service will be held on Monday June 3, 2024 at 11am at The Lighthouse Christian Center, 636 Spring St. Westbrook, and a burial will follow. The family is asking that only family attend the burial, but all are welcome to stay at the Lighthouse Christian Center for a reception.