Funeral, Wake Set for Seamus Byrne

Seamus Byrne, who is being remembered as a loving husband and devoted father will be buried on Thursday; took his life following a night spent with friends and family celebrating his 33rd birthday.

“We will miss him dearly,” said Byrne’s father-in-law, John Gallagher. “He adored his children.”

Friends say Byrne was leaving a party in honor of his 33rd birthday at Napper Tandy's in Smithtown on Sunday. Byrne was crossing Main Street when he was hit by a 1998 Honda driven by Michael Armentano, 24, of Smithtown at approximately 1:45 a.m.

Armentano, who was not charged in the incident, was questioned and released by police.

His wife, Michelle was present at the time of the accident and performed CPR on her husband until paramedics arrived.

“Michelle knew him since kindergarten,” said Gallagher of his daughter and Byrne. “They married after high school.”

Gallagher said his son-in-law had received the Purple Heart for his service in Afghanistan. “He was in an accident in a Humvee and returned home in 2009,” said Gallagher. “He hadn’t been working steady because he was having issues with Post Traumatic Stress.”

John Malloy knows the stress vets face all too well. His son, Kings Park High School graduate Scott M. Molloy is Byrne's  2nd cousin and is currently serving in Afghanistan as a combat engineer with the 10th Mountain Division. Molloy is due to finish his one-year long tour and come home in March.

“All I can say is Seamus did what many do not. He volunteered to serve his country in combat,” said Malloy. “I know kids that served who grew up in Kings Park and for many, once out it is very difficult.”

Viewing hours for Byrne will be at Clayton Funeral Home in Kings Park on Tuesday and Wednesday 7 p.m.-9 p.m. His funeral will take place at St. Joseph’s Church; also in Kings Park on Thursday morning at 11:30 a.m. Internment will be at St. Philip Neri Cemetery in Northport.