John Byrne was born in Ireland and grew up at the beach over there before he emigrated to Australia as a seventy pound Paddy- which was sixty quid more than the famous Ten Pound Poms paid.
John became the personnel manager at Abbott Laboratories at Kurnell in 1964 and learned to ride the waves at Wanda Beach on one of the iconic soft Coolite Boards before moving onto the more mainstream bodyboard.
He became a familiar figure in retirement as he rode out every day in his Sydney Swans gear to do a surf check up along the beach.
If there was a wave he would come back with what he called his "Schapelle Corby"- his bodyboard bag, slung over his shoulders and would shoot a few waves before riding home for lunch or a coffee at Mint cafe.
John was always up for a chat and was noted for his Irish brogue and sharp wit.
He did his dailey cycling surf check and rode his bodyboard up until his ninetieth birthday.
John passed away peacefully in St George Hospital last week after a short illness.
