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David Halpin Byrne, 53 David Patrick Halpin Byrne died at Brockville General Hospital Saturday, Jan. 10, 2004. He was 53. He was born Sept. 29, 1950 in Brockville. Raised in Prescott, he was the son of the late William Byrne and Catherine Halpin and brother of Peggy Byrne of Corte Madera, California. He is also survived by nieces Julie Dufour and Monica Black and nephew Michael Dufour; many cousins, and Mary Major of Prescott, among his many faithful friends. He was predeceased by sisters Clare Dufour and Karen Black. Following his education at St. Mark Catholic School and South Grenville District High School, Mr. Halpin Byrne attended Carleton University, Ottawa, and Ryerson in Toronto and became a journalist. His career included assignments in Toronto and Vancouver for the Globe and Mail and Maclean's newsmagazine, and then for the Montreal Gazette. He freelanced for a time in Central America, then in Paris, France, where he met and married Corinne Lefevre, who predeceased him in Beijing, China, where they were employed at Xianghua News Agency and later at the China Daily. He then freelanced from Bangkok, Thailand. While in China and Thailand, Mr. Halpin Byrne contributed articles to The Prescott Journal chronicling his adventures in the Far East. Due to failing health, and approaching total blindness, Mr. Halpin Byrne retired to live in Brockville, where he volunteered with the CNIB and other charitable organizations. At his request, there was no visitation at the funeral home, but friends were invited to a memorial service conducted by Monseigneur B.J. Walsh at Chris Slater Funeral Home, Prescott, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2004. Inurnment will take place at St. Mark's Cemetery, Prescott, in the spring.