Obituary of Stanley Kirby
KIRBY, Stanley ~ passed away on January 24 in his 92nd year following a brief illness. Dorothy, his loving wife of 70 years, was by his side. Stanley is also survived by his sons Kevin (Tami), Trevor (Laurie) and Paul (Marilyn), and by grandchildren Colin, Jenna and Kelsey. In England, he will be sadly missed by brothers Ted and Robert, and sister Elsie, and sister-in-law Mary. He was predeceased by brother Alf and sisters Evelyn and Kathleen. He will be fondly remembered on both sides of the Atlantic by nieces and nephews Neil, Shelley, Carol, Ian, Tim, Sally, Margaret, Kathleen, Gwynneth, Keith, Linda and Beverly, and by his many friends and former co-workers. Stanley was born in Hull, Yorkshire, England, on December 8, 1927, to the late Harry and Kate Kirby. He was evacuated from Hull, a major seaport, at the outbreak of World War One due to the threat of bombing raids. He had his first job at age 14, upon leaving school, as a farm labourer, and served in the Royal Navy at the end of the war. He worked alongside his father for the Corporation of the City of Hull in various capacities. In 1967, he was honoured, along with his father, by the Royal Humane Society for going to the rescue of a co-worker who was in imminent danger of drowning and asphyxia by sewer gas. In 1968, he and Dorothy made the life-changing decision to emigrate to Canada for a better life for their family. He was employed by Belleville Public Works until his retirement. Although the move to Canada, at age 41, meant leaving family and friends behind, it was a decision he never regretted. Stanley was an avid follower of Hull City football club in England and the Belleville Bulls hockey team in Canada. He and Dorothy travelled many times across Canada, throughout the United States and Europe. In his spare time, he loved gardening (flowers and vegetables), playing dominoes and cards, and spending time with his family. Those who knew Stanley spoke of his selflessness, his generosity, his caring. His young friend, Elias Jones, who called Stanley and Dorothy the ‘Grand Brits’, upon hearing of his death said: “He was truly a giant, and we can only ever hope to live a life as great as his or as happy as his.’ Cremation has taken place, and a simple get-together will be held with family and friends at a later date to celebrate the life of this wonderful man. If desired, donations to Hastings Manor would be appreciated by the family. Arrangements entrusted to Steele Funeral Home, Moira Street Chapel (613-968-2273).
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Stanley
Kirby 1927 2019..
Décès pour la Ville:Belleville, Province: Ontario