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About the Author: Joseph A. Byrne
Raised in rural Essex County, Joseph Byrne learned the ethics of hard work by living everyday life on the farm. With an Irish/Canadian father and a Lithuanian mother, education and honest living were values instilled in Joseph and his four brothers at a very young age.

Aside from a continued love of farming, Joe managed to obtain a Masters of Geography and later a Law Degree from the University of Windsor. Over the years, his voice has been heard throughout the community, from local sports to municipal politics.

Spending his time living one busy moment to the next, family life remains the root of his happiness and inspiration. This is what he loves and what fulfills his life--wife, children, grandchildren and
friends.

OF GREAT CHARACTER demonstrates the values that Joe holds dearly, by drawing off of the experiences of men of great character that he met in the legendary pea harvests of old.
The book is based on the life of Jim Mahon, who was an outstanding hockey prospect, killed in a farm accident at age 19. His death broke the heart of a whole community. Jim was generally considered to be a young phenom, like a Gretzky or an Orr. His story is compelling even now, forty years after his death not only because of his hockey ability, but more because he was such a great human being.