Longtime Saratoga resident Ray Byrne died Nov. 29 at the age of 87.

Born Aug. 8, 1915, in North Dakota, Byrne moved with his family to California in 1920, settling in the San Jose area in 1935. During World War II, Byrne served in the U.S. Air Force as a navigator and flew missions in the South Pacific.

In 1963, Byrne, his wife, Betty, and their children moved to Saratoga. Byrne spent most of his career investing in and creating small businesses, the most recent being Challenge Manufacturing Co. of Emeryville, which he sold in 1987.

Over the years, Byrne was active in starting up and serving many community and charitable organizations, including Live Oak Adult Day Services of San Jose and Gilroy and Live Oak Senior Nutrition Center of Los Gatos. He and his wife were also active members of the Los Gatos United Methodist Church for the past 40 years.

Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Betty Byrne of Saratoga; sons and daughters-in-law Jeff and Bruna Byrne of Saratoga; Jon and Zinta Byrne of Fort Collins, Colo.; and Steve and Randi Byrne of Morgan Hill; sister Arline Hansen of Angels Camp; and four grandchildren.

Memorial services have been held.