Dr. Alvaro Javier O'Byrne

Alvaro Javier O’Byrne, MD, 54, of Lake Charles passed away on Friday, February 12, 2016.

 Dr. O’Byrne was born on February 3, 1962 in Cali, Colombia, South America.  He moved to New Orleans, LA in 1965.  Dr. O’Byrne earned his MD and BS at LSU.  He resided in New Orleans, where he owned the O'Byrne Eye Clinic, working with his father and sister, who are also Ophthalmologists. Hurricane Katrina destroyed the hospital and the clinic building, which were not rebuilt for nearly 10 years. Due to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, he moved his family to Lake Charles, where his wife had grown up, and where she still had family.  Upon moving here he was employed at The Eye Clinic, eventually becoming one of the owners.  

 He achieved much in life and held positions for many organizations including Past President of the Medical Society, of the Louisiana Ophthalmology Association, and of the Calcasieu Medical Society.  He was a current member of the New Orleans Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Academy of Ophthalmology and was President of Imperial Calcasieu Surgical Center.  He also belonged to the Krewe of Contraband and Krewe of Barataria. He generously donated his time and money to those in need, including participating in 2 medical mission trips to Nicaragua & Colombia.

 Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Leslie Carr O’Byrne; three daughters, Catherine Maria, Lucia Claire, and Cecile Carr O’Byrne all of Lake Charles; his mother, Maria Teresa Malvehy O’Byrne of New Orleans; and four sisters, Maria Isabel O’Byrne Stephenson, Marilu O’Byrne Robinson, and Angela O’Byrne all of New Orleans, and Margarita Rosa O’Byrne Curtis of Boston and Deerfield, MA.

 He was preceded in death by his father, Alvaro O’Byrne.

 A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, February 15, 2016 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.  Monsignor Jace Eskind will officiate.  Cremation will follow the services under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.  Visitation will begin in the funeral home on Sunday from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a scripture service beginning at 6:00 PM.  Visitation will resume on Monday in the church from 8:00 AM until the start of the service.  There will also be a memorial service and inurnment held at Lakelawn Metairie Cemetery in New Orleans, LA on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at 1:00 PM.

The family has requested that donations be made to The Lighthouse for the Blind, in lieu of flowers.