Longtime 7NEWS reporter Byron Barnett passed away Sunday. He joined our newsroom in 1983 and spent 38 years covering thousands of stories New Englanders cared about. He retired in 2021.
For nearly 40 years when big news happened, Byron was there – from snowstorms to shocking courtroom dramas and moments that changed our world. He was at Cape Canaveral when Space Shuttle Challenger exploded and in Washington, D.C. for the inauguration of Barack Obama as America’s first Black president. And Pats fans know he was often Bill Belichick’s most persistent questioner.
In a statement Byron’s family says “Byron cherished the privilege of telling the stories of New Englanders who welcomed him into their lives. After facing cancer with unwavering courage, Byron passed away peacefully on Sunday, surrounded by his loving family.”
If you’d like to leave a condolence message or memory of Byron please click here.
Condolence Messages
“So sad to hear about Byron. His smile lit up a room and was truly a great guy. He will be missed. Condolences to all his many friends, acquaintances, and family.” – The Wolinsky Family
“Byron was a gentleman in all ways. As a reporter from a “competing” station I often ran into Byron at stories and he was always professional and always a gentleman. He will be missed.” – Gail Huff
“I send heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the family, his colleagues and all of us viewers. Byron was a Class Act Newman who will be missed.” – The Audunson Family of Cape Cod
“Please pass my condolences to everyone who had the privilege of having this amazing reporter (don’t know a better word ) I’ve watched him all the time and will miss him 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻”
“I’m simply devastated to learn of Byron’s passing I interned under Byron in the summer of 1987 (yes, 38 years ago…) during the era of the “New England News Exchange”. We were holed up in a little office at the Lawrence Eagle Tribune newspaper, where we cast a wide net across the Merrimack Valley and into New Hampshire and beyond. Byron was, as you would expect, everything for which he is revered: caring, considerate, generous with his time, and operating with a degree of professionalism and integrity I tried to emulate in my early career as a broadcast journalist. Two decades later, I serendipitously ran into him in Cambridge at an event we were both covering. Still starstruck, I raced to (re)introduce myself. He remembered me instantly, and we embraced in a genuinely heartfelt hug. Simply put, this one hurts. Offering my deepest condolences to his family and friends at this painful time.” –Matt Fearer
“I’m saddened to hear about the loss of Byron. He was an amazing reporter, when I worked at Logan Airport 3 years ago, he would have a story to do at our terminal. He would stop by my office and say Hi! Great guy my he Rest In Peace 🙏” – Karyann Milonopoulos
Peace to Byron B and his family. I loved his reporting. May he Rest in Power and know that he was loved
And admired here on earth.
Mary Ambulos
To Byron’s Friends & Family, I grew up Watching this Class Act favorite of mine, showcase our New England news both good and bad. His smile and voice was something I always looked forward to while watching the news with my family. Byron’s hammering questions to Bill Belichick made it worth watching the post game wrap-ups for sure!!! God Bless his loved ones at this heartbreaking time and thank you for sharing his talent, time and life with us. Rest In Paradise without pain today. God Bless.
So sorry for your loss . Byron was a well respected newscaster who was loved thru out New England .. love and prayers to his family , he will be greatly missed …
I am so sorry to hear about Byron’s death. I have followed him for many many years and felt he was one of the best reporters he will truly be missed. Prayers to his family. – Valerie Parise
Kathleen, I am so sorry for your loss. Remember all the good times you had together. Fondly, Eileen Lawlor
He was so genuine and trustworthy. Rare traits these days. Condolences to his family.
My name is Bobby Lynn, and I grew up with Byron Barnett. In my eyes and heart, he is a local news icon, and will be sorely missed. They don’t make them like Byron anymore. To his family and friends: Please accept my deepest heartfelt condolences 💐 Rest Easy Byron…. God Bless you 🙏
My sister and I are sadden to hear of the passing of Byron Barnett. We grew up watching WHDH before we went to school, captivated by the news. Byron became one of our favorite reporters. When we visited the studio in 2010, we were so excited to meet him! I attached the picture for his family to see how impactful his time was at 7News. Thank you Byron for sharing your stories with us and we will remember him fondly!
We will miss you Mr. Barnett and watched you over the years so, thank you for covering the news stories.🙏I’m so saddened to hear of this. I was not a Mass resident but enjoyed Byron’s insight and stories. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him. My condolences to his family. RIP, sir Donna F.
Just wanna send my condolences to Byron‘s family, his coworkers and his friends I was lucky enough to meet him twice and he was very kind. He spoke with me. I remember asking him what his hardest story was to cover. He told me the challenger how sad it made him he said that story torn at his heart. ,
I was so moved by his kindness. I’ll never forget it. He once interviewed me a patriot place and I felt like a celebrity in regards to deflate gate with Tom Brady. He picked me out of the crowd.
May you rest in peace Bryon.
Melisa G
I am so very sad to hear of the passing of Byron. My sincere condolences to all of you. Zach and I were just talking about what a nice man he was and we always smiled when we interacted with him. Sending heartfelt condolences. May his memory be a blessing to all of you. – Karen Brill.
My condolences to his family and friends. Loved watching him on tv, he was always very enthusiastic and smiling.
Byron and my dad, Al McNaughton, were partners for many years. I had the privilege of knowing Bryon for many years and he was always a kind, well spoken, caring and compassionate person. I always found Byron to be very informative but always knew him to be a better person. My dad and Byron used to have foot races, and Byron always won. I heard the many stories of Byron’s athletic prowess. Rest in peace Byron and know you positively impacted many people in so many different ways. I know that Bryon and Al have reconnected and are enjoying their time together once again. They are currently preparing a live shot for the 6 pm and 11 pm newscast. – Doug McNaughton, On behalf of Al McNaughton.
Sending condolences to the Barnett family. Our children attended school together. We often ran into each other in stores around our town. I was always greeted with Byron’s great smile. Keeping his family in our prayers. – Rhonda Gabovitch
Byron was the first reporter to remember my name when I started at 7News. I couldn’t believe someone so prominent would give the time of day to someone so low in the ranks, but that’s the exact kind of person Byron was- a genuinely caring guy who made everyone’s day better for having crossed paths with him. I know he’s playing basketball with Prince right today 💜
Please accept my deepest sympathy on Byron’s passing. I always thought he was so empathetic and genuine in his reporting. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. May his memory be a blessing – Carol Walsh
My condolences to Byron’s family, his 7 News family, and his friends on his passing. His dedication and commitment to truthful storytelling, elevating diverse voices, and serving the entire community will be remembered with gratitude. With sympathy, – Candace Fisher
I’m so sorry, Kathleen and Byron and Parker and Kiki. May your memories bring you comfort, and your love for each other be strong enough to heal you in difficult times Sending love to each of you – Joan Goodman Bruce Levkoff Sarah and Steven Levkoff Tanya Dinerstein
I just wanted to send my condolences to Byron’s family and friends. I’ve spent most of my life watching Bryon reporting the news and always respected and admired his professionalism in his reporting. When there was a big story, he was the first person that I would want to hear it from. I just wanted to let you know how much he touched my and my family’s lives. So sorry for your loss – Jimmy Bourque
Our family would like to extend our deepest condolences on the loss of Byron Barnett. When our family was going through a tragic event, Byron was here getting a story but he did so with compassion and empathy towards all involved. May he rest in peace.. 🙏🙏🙏 The Traniello family, Revere Ma.
Hello, Just wanted to offer condolences to the family of Mr Barnett. I remember seeing him in person years ago in an almost empty Canton mall with his family when his kids were toddlers. Felt he didn’t want to be bothered, so I let him be, wish I tried to say hi
To the Barnett family, I am praying for your peace and comfort. No words can express how sad I am for you. Byron was a wonderful gentle soul and he will truly be missed We love you all, Pierre, Donna, Madison and Mason
We just loved him! He was the best. So sorry for your loss. Such a quality newsman and will be sorely missed by our family The Mannings Holden, Massachusetts
Rest peacefully in paradise Byron you’ll be deeply missed by all that was blessed too have known you in any capacity my condolences thoughts & prayers are with your family at this time.🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
We watched the news by Byron for years and he was always above the rest . Professional in every way. Peace to his family.
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