Woodsville, NH – Paul Reginald "Shark" Byrne, 81, died Wednesday, August 9, 2017, at Cottage Hospital, following an extended illness.

He was born in Woodsville, February 27, 1936, a son of Percy and Marion (Cox) Byrne and graduated from Woodsville High School.  As a young man growing up in Woodsville, Paul began work by delivering newspapers and working for John Fullerton at his service station.  Between his Junior and Senior year in high school he began working for the State of New Hampshire with the bridge crew.  Paul entered the US Army on March 3, 1955 and served until his honorable discharge on March 1, 1957.  Upon his return home, he continued his work with the State of New Hampshire DOT, working his way up the ranks to retire as Supervisor of Bridge Construction, a career that lasted 42 years. This job provided him the privilege and opportunity to work on all the state bridges from the Seacoast to the White Mountains and everywhere in between, and to also be part of keeping the Old Man of the Mountain secure.  Following this retirement he began work at the Grafton County Nursing Home in North Haverhill, driving the van and residents, for nearly 14 years.

Paul was a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, life member of American Legion Ross-Wood Post # 20, and the Good 'Ole Boys, all of Woodsville, and the Ammonoosuc Valley Fish & Game Club.   He was a former member of Grafton – Kane Lodge # 46 F&AM of North Haverhill and Bektash Temple AAONMS of Concord.  During his leisure time he enjoyed golfing, boating, bowling, motorcycling, and dancing, and having John Deere tractors, and always new vehicle…clean and shiny.  In addition to these interests, Paul was seldom without a dog in his life…he enjoyed their company and provided them with an excellent life and companionship.  He ate breakfast out nearly every morning and established close friendships with his "breakfast crew".

Paul met the love of his life Carolyn DeFrates, and they married on September 21, 1963.  Together they were able to travel extensively at home and around the world visiting such places as Egypt, Tibet, China, Australia, South America, Africa and Europe. Paul was very proud, in recent years, to obtain a white 1963 Ford Galaxy convertible, an identical car to the one he had when first courting Carolyn.  He was also able to register it with the same license plate.

Carolyn predeceased Paul earlier this year on February 21, 2017.

Paul is survived by several nieces, nephews, and cousins, along with several dear, close friends.

There will be no calling hours.  A graveside burial service will be Thursday, August 17, 2017, at 11 AM at Horse Meadow Cemetery, North Haverhill, NH with Father William Watts, Jr., of St. Luke's Episcopal Church officiating.