John C. Byrer, 84

John C. Byrer, 84, passed away on Friday, Nov. 10, 2017, in Sandpoint, Idaho.

A viewing will be held Friday, November 17, 2017 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 601 S. Lincoln Ave., Sandpoint, at 10 a.m., followed by his funeral at 11 a.m. He will be laid to rest at Pinecrest Cemetery.

John was born on June 6, 1933 in Long Beach, Calif., to James and Cecilia Byrer. As a committed Catholic, he attended all New York Catholic schools from elementary through high school. He headed up the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine in Sepulveda, Calif., for two years. He was a member of Holy Trinity Church Choir for 15 years in El Dorado Hills, Calif., and he also played his trumpet/trombone at every Christmas and Easter programs as well.

John served in the 82nd U.S. Army Regimental Band, Nuremberg, Germany from March 1953-March 1955. He volunteered at the Veterans Hospital in Mather for 12 years. In later years, he became a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Placerville, Calif. He volunteered his services at military funerals and Memorial Day observances by playing “Taps”. He received an award of the “Quilt of Valor” in 2016.

While living in California he was a professional musician playing both the trumpet and trombone in countless big bands and symphonies. He played in bands, Peppy Prince, Top Hatters Rose Parade Band, and Jimmy McConnell; and symphonies, Tucson Symphony, Los Angeles Senior Symphony, and Burbank Symphony. He appeared playing in a band in the movie, “Captain Newman, M.D.”, he performed at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, the Ambassador Auditorium in Pasadena, and the Hollywood Palladium. He was a lifetime member of the Musicians Union, Local 47 in Los Angeles.

For 30 years John owned and operated his own HVAC Company, Dynamic Heating and Air Conditioning.

John is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Audrey Ann Byrer; his daughters, Susan (Greg) Mangione, Cathy (Victor) Pesiri, and Lynda (Steve) Fioravani; his 19 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit John’s online memorial at lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.