Obituary for David Lewis Byrd Sr.
SCHENECTADY - David Lewis Byrd, Sr., 68, of Schenectady, NY, after a long illness, passed away on January 29, 2021, attended by his family, at Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY. He was preceded in death by his parents George Edward Byrd, Sr., and Louise (Collins) Byrd.
The youngest of four siblings, David was born June 15, 1952. He grew up in Watervliet, NY, and attended elementary school there and then high school at La Salle Institute in Troy, NY, graduating in 197l. He went on to Taft Junior College, Taft, CA, and the University of Texas, El Paso, having a college career as a stellar running back. David's passions were music, especially jazz, and sports, above all, football. At La Salle, he was elected to the Troy Record's All-City Team in 1968, 1969, and 1970 as outstanding running back and was the Knickerbocker News Player of the Year in 1970. For recognition of his exemplary achievements as a high school student-athlete, David was elected to the La Salle Institute Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008. After college, David played semi-pro football for the Metro Mallers in Albany, NY. He worked for the New York State Department of Social Services and later for General Electric, in Schenectady.
David is survived by his wife of 45 years Faith (Jones) Byrd and son David Lewis Byrd, Jr., as well as daughter-in-law Melissa (Fossett) Byrd; three grandchildren: David Lewis Byrd III, Nadia Faith Byrd, and Brooklyn Rose Byrd; sister Mary Louise Byrd, of Brooklyn, NY, brothers George Edward Byrd, Jr. (Alice), of Westboro, MA, and William Maurice Byrd, Sr., of Quincy, MA; sisters-in-law Elaine (Paul) Marshall, of Crownsville, MD and Renee Palyo-Jones, of Studio City, CA; and family friend Gladys Perez, of Stoughton, MA. Another son, Maximillian Alexander Byrd, died soon after birth. He leaves to mourn him his beloved nieces, nephews and a host of cousins.
Viewing is scheduled for Friday, February 12, beginning at 10:30 a.m. at Bowen & Parker Bros. Funeral Home, 97 Old Loudon Road, Latham, NY. Funeral services will begin at 12 p.m. Social distancing and the wearing of masks are required for those electing to attend in person. The funeral will also air live at 12 p.m. on the Parker Bros. Memorial Funeral Home, Inc. Facebook page.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made out to his wife, Faith Byrd to assist her with astronomical medical expenses, c/o Parker Bros. Memorial, 2013 Broadway, Watervliet, NY 12189.
Condolence book at ParkerBrosMemorial.com.
The youngest of four siblings, David was born June 15, 1952. He grew up in Watervliet, NY, and attended elementary school there and then high school at La Salle Institute in Troy, NY, graduating in 197l. He went on to Taft Junior College, Taft, CA, and the University of Texas, El Paso, having a college career as a stellar running back. David's passions were music, especially jazz, and sports, above all, football. At La Salle, he was elected to the Troy Record's All-City Team in 1968, 1969, and 1970 as outstanding running back and was the Knickerbocker News Player of the Year in 1970. For recognition of his exemplary achievements as a high school student-athlete, David was elected to the La Salle Institute Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008. After college, David played semi-pro football for the Metro Mallers in Albany, NY. He worked for the New York State Department of Social Services and later for General Electric, in Schenectady.
David is survived by his wife of 45 years Faith (Jones) Byrd and son David Lewis Byrd, Jr., as well as daughter-in-law Melissa (Fossett) Byrd; three grandchildren: David Lewis Byrd III, Nadia Faith Byrd, and Brooklyn Rose Byrd; sister Mary Louise Byrd, of Brooklyn, NY, brothers George Edward Byrd, Jr. (Alice), of Westboro, MA, and William Maurice Byrd, Sr., of Quincy, MA; sisters-in-law Elaine (Paul) Marshall, of Crownsville, MD and Renee Palyo-Jones, of Studio City, CA; and family friend Gladys Perez, of Stoughton, MA. Another son, Maximillian Alexander Byrd, died soon after birth. He leaves to mourn him his beloved nieces, nephews and a host of cousins.
Viewing is scheduled for Friday, February 12, beginning at 10:30 a.m. at Bowen & Parker Bros. Funeral Home, 97 Old Loudon Road, Latham, NY. Funeral services will begin at 12 p.m. Social distancing and the wearing of masks are required for those electing to attend in person. The funeral will also air live at 12 p.m. on the Parker Bros. Memorial Funeral Home, Inc. Facebook page.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made out to his wife, Faith Byrd to assist her with astronomical medical expenses, c/o Parker Bros. Memorial, 2013 Broadway, Watervliet, NY 12189.
Condolence book at ParkerBrosMemorial.com.