Robert Byrnes: Suicide due to Empty Nose Syndrome, US 2021
Surgery: Septoplasty confirmed, most likely in combination with turbinate reduction
Country: US, Yonkers, NY
Surgeon: unknown
years at death: 48
Life span: December 13, 1972 - May 24, 2021
Known background: By brother on funeral
Robert Byrnes brother speaks about him at funeral:
So I'm going to get a little heavy, so get your tissue box now if you're the crying type and save a few for me because I may need one too. Rob became very sick in April of 2020. He went to multiple doctors who struggled to provide answers to medical anomalies which became increasingly worse day by day.
With no diagnosis coming from the medical community in New York, I researched and advised traveling to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, so that we had a team of experts whose sole focus was diagnosing medical anomalies like Rob's. I was confident there was both an answer and a cure. We left for Rochester, Minnesota on the 26th of October.
Over the next couple days, there were batteries of blood work, MRIs, CAT scans, and other tests. On October 28th, we met with an ENT specialist who diagnosed Rob with a condition called Empty Nose Syndrome. Rob had an operation 24 years earlier when he had breathing problems caused by a deviated septum in his nose.
The operation was a blessing at the time, as he was struggling to breathe, and this had an immediate and positive impact. Unfortunately, there can be complications. 24 years after the operation with a pandemic and safety protocols for wearing face masks, Rob's empty nose condition was triggered.
I had researched this condition and I knew there was no cure. It may not kill you, but it essentially wiped out any quality of life one could expect to have. As we walked out of the office, I could not hold back my tears. While I was grieving for Rob, I simultaneously was in fear for my own life as I had had the same operation and was now at risk.
In what might have been the worst possible situation for Rob, he put his arms around me and told me not to fear. I was there to comfort him, yet it was he who was comforting me. The next words out of his mouth spoke to the essence of my brother. He said, it was better for this to have happened to him, rather than me and my sister Val, as we both have children.
A selfless act, a selfless man, that is a hero who walks among us. That is a soldier who jumps on a grenade to save his team. That is a product of St. Paul's. That is a Yonkers police officer. Rob asked me to write this eulogy today. Because in his heart, I believe he knew that I shared his love of family, friends, community, Ireland, and the police department.
And I believe he knew I would convey his thanks and offer comfort to the community. He loved you, and he loved life.
Text from Obituary: Robert Gerard Byrnes, 48, born December 13, 1972, Bronx, NY. Rob and his family resided in Yonkers, NY, since 1977. Rob attended St. Paul the Apostle Grammar School and Archbishop Stepinac High School. He received an undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice from John Jay College and a Master’s Degree in Physical Education from Queens College.
Rob began his career as a police officer in 2000 with the MTA Police. In 2001, he joined the Rye Brook Police Department and in 2007, became Yonkers Police Officer. Since 2012 Rob was a Sergeant in the Yonkers Police Department.
Rob is survived by his wife Sheila (nee McGeough), parents Robert M. Byrnes and Kathleen Byrnes (nee Keane), his brother, Raymond (Mariluci) and sister, Valerie (David) Stozki. Adored uncle to 14 nieces and nephews. A cherished nephew to aunts and uncles, and loyal cousin to those in New York and Ireland.
Rob was a proud American and loved his Irish heritage, enjoyed his visits to Ireland, especially Counties Mayo and Monaghan. Rob loved jogging, boxing, painting, a good cup of coffee, decent slice of pizza, and chatting with friends on McLean and helping souls in need.
“I love my family, my friends, my neighborhood, Yonkers, the Yonkers Police Department, the USA, Ireland and nature and all its beauty.” Robert G Byrnes
Memorial Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 24, 2021 from 3:00 - 9:00 P.M. in Hodder Farenga Funeral Home, 899 McLean Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10704
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, June 25, 2021 at 12:00 P.M. in St. Barnabas Church, Bronx, NY. Please visit, https//www.Facebook.com/stbarnabascatholicchurch, to watch the livestream of the mass
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Robert, please visit our Tree Store.
Missing person Advisory and in memory of Robert by his colleagues
Link to tribute book Link to funeral video Link to: YouTube video:
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