GLENBURN – Patrick John Kirby, 75, died at home Monday, April 18, 2005, after a two-year battle with colon cancer. He was born Oct. 11, 1929, in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England, the eldest son of Thomas Alec Kirby and Irene Dorothy (Hayes) Kirby. He attended schools in England and was a graduate of St. Peters in Stoke-on-Trent. Pat served in the British Armed Services in 1948-1949. Before arriving in the United States he had lived and worked in Egypt and Canada. When he moved to Maine, he was employed by the Striar Textile Mill, Pepsi-Cola Company and Bangor Public Works, where he was yard foreman, dispatcher and timekeeper for 27 years before retiring in 1990. After marrying his wife, Merrilee, in 1965, he received his GED through the adult education program at Bangor High School. He was proud of living, working and marrying in the United States and so became a naturalized citizen in March 1966. After Pat and Merrilee had both retired, they enjoyed 12 years of traveling to many special places. During that time, they visited 33 countries on six continents. Those were very special times for both of them. Pat is survived by his beloved wife, Merrilee, of Glenburn; his mother-in-law, Helen Sherman of Island Falls; two brothers, Frank Ashley and Chris Kirby; two sisters, Susan Kirby and Lindsay Sutton and many nieces and nephews. He also leaves many special members of the Fradley family, all of England. Pat was predeceased by his parents; his very special stepmother, Connie Kirby; a special sister, Jean Shenton and a brother, Michael Kirby, all of England. A special thank you goes out to all the staff and nurses at CCOM where he received such wonderful treatment during his battle with cancer. He particularly admired and respected Dr. Prashant Shankar. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. on Monday, April 25, at the First Baptist Church, 56 Center St., Bangor, with the Rev. Stephanie Salinas, Pastor, officiating. You may visit with the family from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Refreshments will be served immediately following the service in the vestry. Those who wish to honor Pat’s memory may contribute to the First Baptist Church Music Fund, 56 Center St., Bangor 04401 or the United Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 6, Island Falls, ME 04747. A service of Brookings-Smith, Bangor.
PATRICK JOHN KIRBY
