Gary Byrnes
Oct. 26, 1945 - Nov. 18, 2025
Gary Michael Byrnes, 80, passed away on Nov. 18, 2025, at his home in Green, Michigan. He was born in Detroit, Michigan, on Oct. 26, 1945, to Bud Byrnes and Dixie (Niemi) Byrnes. They moved to the Ontonagon area when Gary was an infant.
Gary graduated from Ontonagon High School in 1963 where he was a member of the Polar Bears basketball team. He graduated from Michigan Technological University in 1971 with a degree in mechanical engineering.
On July 24, 1965, Gary married Margaret “Margie” Ruuttila in White Pine.
During Gary’s career in construction, he worked in quality control while building nuclear power plants. He also worked on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System and the Chicago Transit Authority’s elevated train system. The jobs took him far and wide. He lived in Newport News, Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, Monaca, Pennsylvania, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Decatur, Alabama, Naperville, Illinois, Huntsville, Alabama, Anchorage, Alaska, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
After retirement in 2007, Gary returned to Ontonagon to move into his newly built home. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and loved spending time in the outdoors, especially on the shores of Lake Superior. Gary was an avid Minnesota Vikings fan.
Gary is survived by his wife, Margie Byrnes; two sons, Bryan Byrnes of Ontonagon and Scott (Lisa) Byrnes of Whitewater, Wisconsin; three brothers, Greg (Susie) Byrnes of Ontonagon and Bluffton, South Carolina, Bob Byrnes of Ontonagon, and Bill (Jeanette) Byrnes of Kemah, Texas; one sister, Barbara (Dennis) Forslund of Silver City, Michigan; sister-in-law, Marie (James) Kinnunen of Ontonagon; sister-in-law, Helen Ruuttila of Wyomissing, Pennsylvania; special friends, Kristen (Bill) Huber of Madison, Wisconsin, and Laura (Justin) White of Chicago, Illinois; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Bob’s partner, Nancy Johnson; mother-in-law, Pearl Ruuttila; father-in-law, Ted Ruuttila; brothers-in-law, Paul Ruuttila and Tom Ruuttila; and sister-in-law, Freda (Paul) Ruuttila.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, Nov. 25, at 1 p.m. Eastern time at Siloa Lutheran Church in Ontonagon. Memorial service will be at 2 p.m. with Pastor Ted Trudgeon officiating. A luncheon will follow the service at the church. Inurnment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Ontonagon.
Memorial donations may be made to Siloa Lutheran Church, 218 E. River Street, Ontonagon, Michigan, 49953.
Cane Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.