John (Jack) Hayden Byrne, a resident of Portola Valley and once the co-owner of a family grocery store in San Francisco, died peacefully on Aug. 1. He was 92.
Mr. Byrne grew up and went to school in San Francisco, including the University of San Francisco. He worked with his father and brother in a Divisidero Street market that came to be known as Byrne’s Fine Foods.
Mr. Byrne and his brother, Bill, went on to co-own the store and later brought in Jack’s sons John and Will. “Byrne’s Fine Foods was a San Francisco grocery institution for over 44 years,” the family said. The store closed in 1983.
The family would pass summers at a cabin on Old La Honda Road in Woodside, until they bought a property in central Portola Valley. Mr. Byrne was an “amazing” carpenter and built the family home. “His happiest moments were with family, and he was immensely proud of all his children and grandchildren,” the family said.
Mr. Byrne is survived by his wife, Mary Alice Byrne; daughter Bernadette Byrne of Hopland, California; sons John of Pleasanton and Will of Cupertino; and nieces, nephews and grandchildren.
Donations in his name may be made to the Hanna Boys Center, 17000 Arnold Drive in Sonoma.
