Most of the staff at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center knew him simply as "Beirne," he was born on Jan. 5, 1946, in Lynn and named after his father, Francis Beirne Lovely. He grew up in Nahant and attended Lynn Classical High School and, on graduation in 1963, he entered Dartmouth College.

The mid '60s were years of turmoil, especially on college and university campuses. Going against the tide, Beirne was a member of the Army ROTC at Dartmouth, but signed up for the US Marines right after graduation. Commissioned at graduation in June 1967, he went for basic training at Quantico, Va., and by January 1968, he was on the way to Vietnam, where he distinguished himself on the field of battle and was awarded two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart.

He met Joan Camden, the love of his life, in Newport, R.I., at the Marine Corps Barracks, where he was serving as executive officer. After eight months, he convinced Joan to say yes to his proposal of marriage and in a blizzard on Feb. 19, 1972, he married her at St. Gregory Church, Dorchester.

After discharge from the Marines -- recall "once a Marine, always a Marine" -- Beirne entered Law School at Boston University and was as he proved throughout life active and involved, serving as managing editor of the Law Review. During these years, the family started to grow. In the following years, four children would arrive -- two daughters and two sons.

Following Law School graduation in 1975, he worked at two firms in Boston Herrick Smith and Goodwin Proctor, where he became a partner, remembered by his peers for his hard work and for his willing mentoring of aspiring young attorneys. Then and throughout his life, he relished storytelling, never at another's expense more often at his own.

A member of Wollaston Country Club, Milton, he was, to say the very least -- a golfer, another source of stories. A former caddy said of him "we really like caddying for him; he joked with us; showed interest in us and even helped with advice."

He was also much involved in community affairs, serving on the school committee of Milton; board and commissions aplenty. If "Family First" was his mantra, then Veterans and their multiple needs came in next, yup "even before golf," according to reports. His list of volunteering and founding of programs to help Veterans is both lengthy and legendary.

He was active and omnipresent during the lives and activities and educations of his four children. The old adage "If you want to get something done, ask a busy person" fit Beirne very well. While he loved his children, once the grandchildren arrived his sons and daughters, and to some extent Joan learned "their place."

In 2007, he ended his career in Boston and became the first in-house general counsel of the archdiocese, which he served up to his death on June 7, 2020, in Milton.

His legendary "What can I do for you?" inevitably greeted you if you were sent to his office or called to check something with him. No matter how small an issue, he worked to get an answer or advice.

As a close and valued collaborator with Cardinal O'Malley, Beirne earned a special place in the cardinal's ministry, as the cardinal said at Beirne's death: "Beirne loved the Church. He cared deeply for our priests and the people of the archdiocese. He was a man of unquestioned integrity who willingly shared his expertise and knowledge in addressing many challenging issues. He joined the archdiocese in November 2007 from the Goodwin Procter Law Firm after a long and distinguished career in the private sector.

A trusted advisor. Beirne will be missed greatly. He was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather and public servant from his years as chairman of the Milton School Committee. Other than his family, Beirne was most proud of his service to the United States as a Marine and his colleagues in the Marine Corps.

There will be a private funeral Mass for Beirne this week. We will celebrate a Memorial Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross at a later date."

Beirne's immediate survivors are his wife of 48 years, Joan (Camden) Lovely, Milton; his children Kristen Carr, and Gregory, both of Milton; Michelle Staiger, Fairbanks, Alaska; and David, Hingham; his grandchildren; and his brother Edward, Topham, Maine. Also surviving are the countless Veterans whom Beirne worked to serve; his Marines Corps brothers; his fellow golfers, not only at Wollaston but at any course where he could get a tee time; and the staff of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center, and especially his co-workers in the Office of the General Counsel.