James William Byrnes

James William Byrnes, 64, of Orlando FL, passed away on Saturday, October 7, 2023. Jim was born on November 9, 1958 in Brooklyn NY.

Jim is survived by his wife, Donna; son, James William (Krystal) and grandchildren Julian and Sloane; brother, Peter (Cindy) Byrnes and sisters, Mary (James) Hayman, Catherine Byrnes, Veronica Byrnes and Elaine Byrnes (Robert Campbell); brother-in-law, Eddie (Marcia) Grissom; brother-in-law, Frank Marzovilla, and many cherished nieces and nephews. Not to be forgotten is his beloved English Springer Spaniel, Becky, who is waiting every day for him to come home to her!

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Lorraine Byrnes; brother, Robert Byrnes; nephew, Michael Byrnes; brother-in-law, Pete Stuffer; and mother-in-law, Opal Grissom.

Along with restoring vintage cars, from a very young age Jim had a true passion for model ship-building. For many years he had done extensive research on the U.S.S. Constitution and was in the final phase of completing his scratch build of the Constitution as it was originally launched in 1797. Following a career of working with Defense contract companies, Jim worked many years with and became a partner with Conceptual Engineering in Sanford FL. In 2002 Jim and Donna formed Model Machines LLC. Jim designed and developed small modeler's machines that are now purchased worldwide and used in many high school and college machine shops and in museums for their restorations. There have been numerous reviews and articles written about Jim which were published in various modelers' magazines. Modelers using Jim's machines range from ship, railroad, doll houses, doll house furniture, pen turners, segmented bowls and architects. In recent years guitar, harp and violin makers were added to this list. Jim was a remarkable craftsman and had many more machines in development stage for modelers. He was always ready to help and mentor others, many of whom soon became his very close friends.

Together with Donna, Jim was a respected and faithful Christian at the Tuskawilla Church of Christ and enjoyed his many friendships there. Jim was also a member of the Nautical Research Guild and attended conferences throughout the U.S. for 20 years, developing many close friendships within this organization.

Jim was a humble, quiet man who was deeply loved and will be missed by so many. Our hearts, as a family, are broken. Thru this profound loss, if we can ask one thing from this place of despair, it would be to embrace your loved ones every chance you get.

Services will be held at 4:00 pm on Saturday, 4 November, 2023 at the Newcomer Funeral Home-Winter Park Chapel, 3806 Howell Branch Rd, Winter Park FL 32792. Visitation will be held at 3:00 pm for one hour prior to the service.

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In loving memory of Jim, contributions may be made to the ALS Association or to the Tuskawilla Church of Christ.

The ALS Association: https://www.als.org/florida/donate or check to: 501 E. Kennedy Blvd, Suite 1400, Tampa, FL 33602
Tuskawilla Church of Christ, 4610 Misty Way, Oviedo, FL 32765

To share a memory of Jim or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.