Obituaries

In Memoriam: Longtime Rumsonite John Oliver Byren, 88

Longtime Rumsonite John Oliver Byren, also of Jensen Beach, FL, passed away peacefully at home in Rumson on Oct. 1 surrounded by family.  He was 88.

John Oliver Byren
Photo/family via Thompson Memorial Home

“His close friends in Ocean City, NJ told him of a beautiful seaside town within a short commute to Wall Street, and in 1974, John and Susan moved their children, John and Liz, and two Gordon Setters to Rumson to begin the next chapter of their lives …
John truly loved the outdoors, and when he wasn’t with his family, he was either on his boat chasing gamefish or back at the dock swapping fish tales. He fished the east coast from New Jersey to Florida, and was especially fond of his trips landing tuna and blue marlin in the Bahamas.  He also cherished his time in the field and wetlands, hunting waterfowl and upland game birds with lifelong friends and family from New Jersey to Delaware.” 

Loved ones of John Oliver Byren in his obituary

“Pop Pop”, as John was known to his grandchildren, was raised in Germantown, PA and Ocean City, NJ. 

He attended the William Penn Charter School and Lehigh University before serving in the United States Army, where he was a company commander in Germany.  After returning home from the Army in 1957, John attended Wharton Business School, and upon graduation began his career in business management. 

He met his wife, Susan Taylor, in New York City, marrying in 1963 and moving to Medford, NJ to start their family.

He held executive positions at RCA, Ultronics and BTSI before being named Executive Vice President of the American Stock Exchange in 1978. 
John continued his commute to Wall Street from his Rumson home, sometimes by train, car, boat or seaplane before an opportunity to start a company enticed him to leave the financial industry and enter the then new field of personal computers.

John started Jonathon’s Apple Inc., and quickly became the largest dealer for what was then the relatively new Apple Computer.  After a successful career in the personal computer world, John sold his company in search of new challenges, his obituary said.

“Years of searching led John to believe that his management skills were best used at the helm of a fishing boat, directing his crew to set baits, grab the gaff and get him a ‘Greenie.’ This change in lifestyle also allowed him and Susan to further establish roots in Jensen Beach, Florida, which suited Susan’s love of the sun and John’s love of the sea.“

Loved ones of John Byren in his obituary


John is survived by: his son, John F. Byren and wife Arleen; daughter, Elizabeth Byren Kelleher and husband John; and his grandchildren, Andrew Byren, William Byren, Taylor Kelleher, Kyle Byren, Jack Kelleher, Grace Kelleher and Nicole Byren. Also by his side was his dedicated caregiver, Nina, who made sure that his final years were comfortable and honorable.

Friends and family are invited to celebrate John’s life at Sea Bright Beach Club from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 10, with words of remembrance at 4.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either Rising Treetops of Oakhurst or Rescue Ridge Dog Adoption of Spring Lake. 

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