Mick was born a true cockney within the sound of the bells at Bow on 5th May 1940. His childhood was split between Finsbury Park and Leicester. At an early age, Mick lived with his grandparents and his uncle Doug who was still at home then and this is where his love of music began.

Doug taught him to listen to Jazz and the “crooners” such as Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Ella Fitzgerald.

Mick left school to take an apprenticeship as a plumber in Leicester. He never stuck at this job as he wanted to live in London. He joined the New Century as a window cleaner, earning good money which allowed him to buy “sharp suits” and have his shoes made.

Mick frequented the clubs, sometimes with his Uncle Ed and his mates around the East End. He loved to dance and was a smart jiver.

On one occasion, Mick was out with Uncle Ed and his mates on a Friday night to have a few drinks. Mick was bought a drink and told to stay at the bar and not take his eyes off the drink. He did as he was told never glancing away from the glass and was aware that Reggie Kray had entered the room.

Alongside the thrill of the clubs, Mick also enjoyed the thrill of a motorbike, owning a few Triumphs. He enjoyed taking the bikes apart and putting them together again.


It was in 1959 when Mick met Sheila and they started dating soon after. Sheila wasn’t that keen in the beginning, but Mick pestered her and she gave in. Sheila was attracted to Mick by his good looks, he was likened to Frank Sinatra. They got engaged in 1962 and married in September 1963. As a couple they were the best of friends and good in each others company.

As man and wife, they settled in a nice flat in Finsbury Park. The marriage was blessed in March 1966 with a son Philip and in 1968 the family relocated to a new development in Little Paxton, St Neots.

Mick and Sheila were very happy here and made some wonderful friends. The family expanded with the arrival of two daughters, Katie and Joanne and now the Byrne family was complete. As a father, Mick was everything and did everything for his children, he was always there for them all. He affectionately referred to Philip as "stable", Katie as a "free spirit" and Joanne as the baby.

In later years, Mick became a proud grandfather to Thomas, Lizzie, Alfred, Toby and Romeo. Mick adored the grandchildren they were "his world."Throughout his life, Mick had earned the nickname "Papa Smurf" due to his white beard, but the grandchildren called him Popa.

From an early age, Mick had always played and loved football. This interest carried on for some 30 years. His favourite team was Arsenal.

While living in St Neots, Mick played for his work team and Blunham’s pub team “The Salutation,” known as the Sally. It was a regular occurrence for Mick to come home from football with stitches in his head or broken bones, but he played on into his early 40's.

He also had an interest in golf and played regularly with several friends. Golf was another love in his life, another place for him to make friends even when he went to Spain.

He was a talented gardener. If he didn't know about the plants and how to look after them, he would read up on them. In his garden were apple and pear trees and his roses were stunning!!

In 1977,Mick was made redundant so he decided to move to Waltham Abbey where he worked with his uncle Ed. As a family they each loved the move making “firm” new friends which they still have.

Once again, Mick decided to change his job and moved to his brother-in-laws Tony’s carpet fittings company, AA Floors. Mick loved a challenge and would lay carpet tiles at a fast rate.

As a person, Mick was known to be quite loud and at times opinionated. He had a great sense of humour and was sometimes known to flirt!! A man who would talk with his hands as well as twiddling his feet, a trait passed on to his family.He was a social man, who loved everything he did and would talk to anybody.This stood him in good stead as he worked the bar at Samuel Jones. Here he was lucky enough to be able to enjoy the acts that performed there.


There is no doubt that Mick was a hard working man, dedicated to his family. He faced his illness and his chemo as a man and never moaned. The consultant on the ward wished all their patients were like Mick. Mick peacefully passed away on 22nd June, he was in a room full of love surrounded by his family.