Obituary of Lane Alan Byrnes

Lane Alan Byrnes passed away peacefully at home with his family on December 1, 2014 after fighting an astonishing two and a half year battle with brain cancer. Lane was born August 9, 1955, in Santa Monica, CA, to Larry and Betty Byrnes. Although his family settled in Simi Valley, much of his early life was spent living and traveling in places like Thailand, Hong Kong and Germany, due to his father’s military career. Traveling and outdoor exploration became a staple in Lane’s young life, as he grew into his twenties and took great enjoyment in backpacking throughout the Sierra Nevada Mountains with his friends for weeks at a time. He was always an ardent outdoorsmen and a lover of nature. In 1982 Lane met the love of his life, Piper, whom the Irishman married the day before St. Patrick’s Day in 1985 so that their anniversary would never be forgotten! Lane’s Irish heritage would become an important part of the legacy that he passed down to his two sons, Shane and Conor Byrnes, who were raised in Newbury Park. He proudly dedicated a great deal of time taking his sons on fishing and camping trips throughout their childhood, focusing his fatherly lessons on appreciation and respect for the outdoors. Sports had a large impact on the entire Byrnes family as well. Lane played adult softball for twenty years as an outfielder, and zealously coached his sons’ baseball and soccer teams for eleven years. As a previously professional dirt bike rider himself, he taught his kids to ride dirt bikes at a young age. This triggered several trips together in the mountains and trails of Southern California, including a 24 hour race at Glen Helen in competition with professional riders. In 1992, ice hockey wove its way into the family. As avid fans of the Los Angeles Kings, Lane coached Piper’s adult hockey team in a way that reflected his favorite player, Jarret Stoll, with heavy emphasis on teamwork and tenacity. When Shane and Conor were old enough, they began playing as well. Ice hockey remains a meaningful sport within the family. Alongside sporting activities with his family, some other passions that Lane had in his life were: reading lengthy novels, watching old movies, designing and tending to his lush, beautiful backyard and pool (which he built up from only dirt), breeding and showing Dalmatians for nineteen years (he delivered 132 Dalmatian puppies and never lost one), riding his stubborn horse Whiskey (who was only receptive to Lane), and talking politics with anyone who would listen (and some who would not)! In accordance with Lane’s final wishes, he will be incorporated into a biodegradable urn, which will be planted by his sons in his favorite place of peacefulness – in the mountains of Mammoth. The urn will soon become a Maple tree for the beauty and nourishment of our world. Lane Byrnes was a loving husband and father, survived by his wife, Piper Byrnes, two sons, Shane Byrnes and Conor Byrnes, and his daughter-in-law, Darcy Byrnes. May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand. Lane’s memorial will be held on Tuesday, December 9, 2014, at Rose Family Funeral Home, located at 4444 Cochran Street, Simi Valley, CA 93063. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project here: http://www.WoundedWarriorProject.org