I am sad and devastated to announce the passing of Jim Byrnes, my dear friend and owner of Model Machines

[Chuck]

I can not explain how devastated I am to be announcing this.  My dear and close friend Jim Byrnes has passed away way too soon.   Many have you know and have met Jim.  He was a fantastic guy and true original.   Many of you own his tools which are second to none in the hobby.    I have been speaking with his wife Donna who many of you also know.  Jim was diagnosed with ALS in February.  ALS is a nasty disease and there is no cure.  Jim had a particularly aggressive type of ALS and he passed away last month in October.  He was just 64 years old.

 

This news will be devastating to many...but Donna has asked if everyone would have patience and give here and their family time to grieve.  As you might expect,  the business will continue to be shut down,  but will reopen at some time in the near future.  Donna will continue supporting the hobby and their customers when the time is right.   But please have patience and allow the family to grieve at this sad time.  Donna will let me know when the shop will reopen.  I will make an announcement at that time.  

 

I am so devastated by this...I just spoke to him not too long ago and it breaks my heart.  His obituary is below.

 

Jim is survived by his wife, Donna; son, James William (Krystal) and grandchildren Julian and Sloane; brother, Peter (Cindy) Byrnes and sisters, Mary (James) Hayman, Catherine Byrnes, Veronica Byrnes and Elaine Byrnes (Robert Campbell); brother-in-law, Eddie (Marcia) Grissom; brother-in-law, Frank Marzovilla, and many cherished nieces and nephews. Not to be forgotten is his beloved English Springer Spaniel, Becky, who is waiting every day for him to come home to her!

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Lorraine Byrnes; brother, Robert Byrnes; nephew, Michael Byrnes; brother-in-law, Pete Stuffer; and mother-in-law, Opal Grissom.

Along with restoring vintage cars, from a very young age Jim had a true passion for model ship-building. For many years he had done extensive research on the U.S.S. Constitution and was in the final phase of completing his scratch build of the Constitution as it was originally launched in 1797. Following a career of working with Defense contract companies, Jim worked many years with and became a partner with Conceptual Engineering in Sanford FL. In 2002 Jim and Donna formed Model Machines LLC. Jim designed and developed small modeler’s machines that are now purchased worldwide and used in many high school and college machine shops and in museums for their restorations. There have been numerous reviews and articles written about Jim which were published in various modelers’ magazines. Modelers using Jim’s machines range from ship, railroad, doll houses, doll house furniture, pen turners, segmented bowls and architects. In recent years guitar, harp and violin makers were added to this list. Jim was a remarkable craftsman and had many more machines in development stage for modelers. He was always ready to help and mentor others, many of whom soon became his very close friends.

 Jim was also a member of the Nautical Research Guild and attended conferences throughout the U.S. for 20 years, developing many close friendships within this organization.

Jim was a humble, quiet man who was deeply loved and will be missed by so many. Our hearts, as a family, are broken. Thru this profound loss, if we can ask one thing from this place of despair, it would be to embrace your loved ones every chance you get.

 

 

[bruce d]

Very sad news, I am sure everyone here will respect their wishes.

Please, when appropriate,  send our sympathy.  

[No Idea]

This is such sad news. Donna I send my families condolences to you and yours. I’m actually lost for words at the moment.  Machine’s come and go but there will only be one Jim Bynes. 

lost for words xx

[GGibson]

Very sad news, indeed,  My heart goes out to Donna and family for fighting this ALS disease along with Jim this past year.  I haven't been in this ship modeling community long, but I recognize legends when I see them.  Rest in peace, sir.  

[Kusawa2000]

We lost one of the good ones.. he was good friend and a master when it came to taking a concept or a idea and making it a reality. He will be missed.  

[Geoff Matson]

His family is in my prayers. What a great loss to our community.

[tlevine]

Jim, you will be missed.  My condolences to Donna and the rest of the family.

[Jim Lad]

What devastating news. He is a sad loss to the world of model ship building.  My deepest condolences to Donna and the rest of the family.

 

John

[GrandpaPhil]

My condolences for your loss.

Edited November 18, 2023 by GrandpaPhil

[Ryland Craze]

I am saddened to hear of this.  I got to know Jim and Donna over the years by attending the NRG Conferences.  He will truly be missed.  My condolences to Donna and Jim's family.

[Nirvana]

My heart is breaking hearing this news.

I have done so many businesses with Jim and Donna.
My heart and thoughts are with them in this hard time.
 

[Paul Jarman]

My condolences to his family and friends.

RIP Jim.

[Katsumoto]

Omg, sad sad News. my condolences to the family. He designed some very good tools, maybe the best there is. 

[KBo]

This is terribly sad news. My thoughts are with his family and friends. 

[Diver]

Very sad news.  My condolences to the family.

[scrubbyj427]

This is just awful news. Very sorry to hear, 64 is just too young. Thank you for all you have contributed to our hobby, RIP Jim.

[Guyuti]

Such Sad News, my condolences to the Family.

 

Guy

[James H]

I've had since yesterday to compute this, and I am absolutely gutted. 

 

64yrs is no age. He had so much more time that he could've given to his family. It's absolutely heartbreaking. 

 

A masterful craftsman and a gentleman. Irreplaceable. 

 

I can only offer condolences to his family, and that isn't anywhere near enough to go the million miles needed to ease their hearts. 

[Twokidsnosleep]

Oh this is sad news

My condolences to the family and friends. 

If Jim’s machinery could be  an indication of him, he was an incredibly solid man

RIP JB 😪

[thibaultron]

Sad news! My condolences to the family.

[dragonflyxlii]

I am so sorry to hear this. I have lost too many to this horrible disease. I will think about all the wonderful creative people who have to suffer so.  Thank you Jim, for what you gave us!

 

 

 

[Cathead]

Looks like there are two different threads on this, one in Nautical General Discussion and one in Tools and Workshop Equipment, so at risk of further redundancy I'm reposting my response in the other thread because it seems important that there be as much outpouring of memory and support as possible for this wonderful contributor to our hobby.

 

~~~~~~~

 

I never met Jim in person but purchasing his table saw (on the strength of recommendations from MSW) opened up all sorts of new frontiers for me in this fascinating hobby and I'll never see it the same way again. Really sad for the deeper loss suffered by all those who knew him personally, and my deepest sympathy for his family. I hope Donna finds fulfillment in keeping the business going so that the legacy continues.

 

As a sort of tribute, and a small example of Jim's legacy in my corner of the modeling world, here's a project I couldn't have done without his tools: the NRG capstan project but made with walnut, cherry, and maple I harvested and milled from my own property, and cut to final dimensions on a Byrnes table saw.  

 

My saw has contributed to other builds as well, but I've always thought of this one as a "Byrnes" project because that saw was so integral to its completion and uniqueness. Thanks to Jim and Donna for their roles in helping me become a better model builder, and to Chuck for taking the time to write such a difficult notice for us.

[Keith_W]

I own everything that Jim made except for the ropewalk. This means that I have corresponded with him and Donna many times. I have always found them to be prompt and courteous, but there was also something else ... they were such warm people! I didn't know that Jim was only 64 (meaning he was my age when I bought my table saw from him). That is much too young. I think as we can see here, his loss was felt not only by his friends and family, but also by people who have never met him, like myself. 

 

Rest in peace. 

[cotrecerf]

What terrible news and so sad to learn that he passed away so early. I own some of his machines and really appreciate their fine execution and quality.

Though I had only very little contact with Donna over the purchase process I send my condolences to her and the family.

Once she decides to continue the business I hope to be in contact again.

 

Joachim

[Kevin]

im so sorry to read this, i also own some of his tools, Rip Jim, and condolences to his family

[Darius359au]

My Condolences to his Wife and Family.

[toms10]

Very tragic news indeed. My deepest sympathies go out to Donna and the entire family. I never met Jim but it is easy to see that he was someone that made the world a better place. 
Tom

[woodartist]

My condolences to the family, i just purchased Byrnes new variable speed disc sander in the last month it is another awesome creation of Jim. He will surely be missed!!

[Canute]

Such sad news. My condolences to Donna and their family. You're in my prayers.

[glbarlow]

@ChuckMay I recommend this thread be forwarded to Donna and family when appropriate. When I lost my dad years ago I was touched by a stack of small hand written (pre-internet) notes by many that knew him. I’d think Donna and Jim’s family might appreciate how far and wide was Jim’s reach into our modeling world.