Patrick was born at home on November 13, 1919 to Patrick, Sr. and Elizabeth (Molloy) Byrnes. He would be the second of five children: Anna, Bud, Betty (Bennett), Rita (Hughes) and my dad, William. 

This photo is from Rita’s wedding to Joseph Hughes. 

From all I’ve heard, it seems as though it was a happy family. The family moved several times within Stamford – Brown St., Division St., Clinton Ave. and Wenzel  Terrace. Papa (Patrick, Sr.) was a gardener extrodinaire and was employed by American Cyanamide in Stamford. I’m still hoping that green thumb kick in with me!  From the stories I’ve heard he sounded like a real Irish character!  I bet my cousin Pat Hughes could chime in here with a few examples. He passed away in 1960 so I never got to know him, unfortunately. 

On the other hand Mama, as we called her, was a big part of my life until I was 12, and for my brother and cousins, even longer. We were lucky enough to visit her and Anna every Sunday for dinner and it was always “an occasion.” Mama was always sitting in her chair in the den when we’d arrive. It was a kiss on the cheek and a squeeze, then off to play somewhere in the house. What a cook!  Besides the amazing dinner, there was almost always a chocolate cake. Not just any chocolate cake, but THE cake. I can’t really describe it other than to say that you need about a half gallon of milk in order to truly enjoy it. It’s time for me to attempt making it again. 

Being only 18 months apart, Anna and Bud we’re sure to have spent a lot of time together. Here she looks much happier about that than he does…

There are two stories Anna has told us about Bud. In the picture above Anna is holding a doll. Like siblings do at times, Bud used to give his big sister a hard time. He would hide it from Anna and she would beg him to give it back. On one occasion they had a terrible argument. Bud put it under the living room rug and then jumped on it – smashing the head to pieces. I don’t imagine that Bud got off easy for that one!

The second thing that Anna told us was that any time Anna would be “courted” by a boy, Bud always would find a little something that was wrong with the poor fellow. Anna says that even years later she would think to herself, “He’s okay, but Bud wouldn’t like him.” It certainly may not be the main reason she never married, but it was an interesting tidbit. 

Knowing how much my grandmother and aunts and uncles like a good party, I imagine this family working hard, but playing better. There were cousins in Stamford as well – the Mahan family- as well as friends: The Hanrahans, the Toners and others. When I look back at pictures of the wedding receptions that were held in the backyard, or the pictures of the Christmas tables set for an army of people, I know it doesn’t tell the whole story, but it gives me a glimpse into the love that this family shared for one another and what bolsters us when we need it. Grateful.