Surrounded by his adoring family, Gene “Weiner” Byrnes, 76, passed away Oct. 28, 2015, due to complications from recent heart surgery.

      Gene was born April 11, 1939, to Wesley and Evelyn Byrnes.   His family belonged to St. Ann’s Parish where he developed his Catholic faith in Christ.   Living on Bayard Street, Gene grew up being a Butte kid, getting into mischief with neighborhood friends, riding bikes, hiking the East Ridge to Saddle Rock and fishing the Nine Mile.   He attended Whittier Elementary where he enjoyed participating in basketball, football and playing the drums in the Whittier School Band.   During his adolescent years, he loved to go fishing with uncles, Din Byrne and Allen McCarthy.   This began his lifelong love for "dipping a fly" at Wise River.   Whether he landed the "Big One" or not, the peaceful serenity of the river was what he desired.

      Attending Butte High School, Gene honed his skills as a drummer.   He was selected as First Chair American Drummer and performed in the Calgary Stampede Parade.   It is here where he went on a first date with a young “Cousin Ginny” and future love of his life, Patricia Ann Hollow.   Eugene and Patricia were joined in Holy Matrimony Nov. 22, 1958, at St. Ann's Church and began their journey of 57 years.

      Gene enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was stationed at Terminal Island, Long Beach, California, and served aboard the USS Everett F. Larson DDR 830 Gearing-class destroyer from 1958 to 1960.   He was honorably discharged in 1963.   During their time in Long Beach, Gene and Patsy started their wonderful family with the birth of the first of six children (three girls and three boys).

      Family was everything to Weiner and he was very proud of his children.   He was especially fond of "Family Get Togethers" and always wanted a full house.   He loved the excitement and chaos of having all the kids running around and playing.   His favorite times were holiday gatherings, particularly Christmas.   The twinkle in his eyes was brightest when Santa came to town.   As we gathered early each Christmas morning you could see the mischievous little boy’s grin on his face as he passed out gifts to each of his children.   As his children grew the Christmas tradition continued with Weiner's 10 grandkids and nine great-grandkids.

      Second only to Christmas was Weiner's day better known as St. Patrick's Day.   The Little Leprechaun celebrated his Irish heritage with family and many friends.   Dressing the part in his gear Weiner and crew merrily made their way through the Uptown "chewing the fat" with old friends and tipping one back with new folks he met throughout the day.   With his "Kiss Me I'm Irish" button he was always getting a peck on the cheek from all the Irish lasses.

      Weiner worked very hard to provide for his family and generously gave everything he had.   As a young man, he worked for his Uncle Din at T & B Gas.   Upon returning to Butte from the Navy he started his long career in the automobile business.   Weiner began working for Currie Chevrolet as a teamster in the service department and later became shop foreman at Jim Kraut Chevrolet.   He began selling cars in 1976, perfecting the "art of the deal" over the next 30 years;   retiring in 2006 from Wayne Sterns Butte GM.

      Upon retiring he continued to enjoy his time fishing at Wise River and Georgetown Lake, camping and woodworking.   But the time he spent with his family was what he cherished most.   "Mv Family is my life ..... "

      Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Wesley and Evelyn Byrnes, and brother, Dennis Byrne.

      He is survived by his wife, Patricia;   his daughters, Kathy and Jim Woy, Chris and Rad Popovich, and Pamela Byrnes and David Nuckles;   his sons, Jamey and Jennifer Byrnes, Sean and Karen Byrnes, and Tim and Tracy Byrnes;   grandchildren, Ashley and Matt Choquette, Alyssa and Sean Kissell, Ryan and Roseann Popovich, Brittany Popovich, Jamison Byrnes, Keely Byrnes, Sadie Byrnes, Sydnie Byrnes, Shelbie Byrnes, and Samuel Byrnes;   great-grandchildren, Chase, Miles and Mason Choquette, Kendalyn, Tucker and Cruz Kissell, Ryan and Rmanda Popovich, Kyndri Pate;   sister, Evalie and Bill Hankinson;   cousin, Pat and Susie Byrne;   sister-in-law Noriko Byrne;   numerous nieces and nephews; and surviving members of the McCarthy, Lowney, Page, Hollow and Callahan families as well as special friends, Pat and the Late Ed Kane, Carol and Mike Ward, Cookie and Doc Jordan, Bob and Eileen Andrene and Weiner's four legged friends, Sophie and Daisy.

      Please join the family for services Tuesday, Nov. 3, at St. Ann's Church.   Visitation will be held at 9 a.m.   Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. followed by interment with military honors by the United Veterans Council at the Holy Cross Cemetery.   Memorials may be made to the Spirit of Columbia Gardens Carousel, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Montana or the Arbor Day Foundation.

      Axelson Alternative Cremation is privileged to serve the Byrnes family.

      Express condolences at www.mtstandard.com.