Joseph A. Byrnes

Joseph A. Byrnes, Roselle Park, N.J., died on July 18th at Overlook Hospital. Joe was born in 1928 in Elizabeth. His parents were Joseph E. Byrnes and Elizabeth S. Byrnes (Dion). He resided in Elizabeth until moving to Roselle Park over 30 years ago. Joe graduated from St. Benedict’s Prep., Newark, in 1946. He earned his undergraduate degree from Seton Hall University, with a break in his education when he served in the U.S. Army in Korea from 1951-1953. Joe then proceeded to earn his M.A. and Ph.D. from New York University.

Joe was a Professor of English at New York University, and also held the post of Assistant Secretary of the University. He was also Director of Graduate Studies in English. Over the decades at NYU he taught thousands of students at all levels, and published a variety of materials.

Joe’s passion was fencing, and his weapon of choice, the epee. While he enjoyed competition, he eagerly pursued his interest in the technical side of fencing. Joe began serving as NYU’s fencing armorer when he was a graduate student in 1955 and continued in that role when he joined the faculty at NYU. Joe became internationally known for his expertise in electronic scoring equipment. For decades he served as armorer for U.S. international teams, at numerous World Championship, Junior World Championship, Pan-Am Games, Olympic Sports Festivals, and Olympic Games, traveling throughout the U.S. as well as to South America, Europe, and Asia. Until recently he continued to serve as head armorer for NYU home meets, as well as local, divisional, and national United States Fencing Association (USFA) tournaments. He has been recognized as “The foremost armorer and technical expert in the U.S.” and was a longtime contributor to American Fencing magazine. For his long and distinguished service to the fencing world, Joe was elected to the USFA Fencing Hall Of Fame in 1996 and to the NYU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998.

Joe is survived by his brother, Edward T. Byrnes (Elaine), a nephew, Richard J. Byrnes (Laura), and a grandniece, Gillian B. Byrnes, all residing in Neptune.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to USA Fencing, 4065 Sinton Road, Suite 140, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80907, www.usfencing.org.

Visitation will be at the McCracken Funeral Home, 1500 Morris Avenue, Union, 07083, on Wednesday, July 23rd from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 24th at 11:00 a.m. at the McCracken Funeral Home, followed by interment at the Rosehill Cemetery, 792 East Edgar Road, Linden, 07036.