Bridgewater – Bernard J. Kirby, 88 formerly a long time resident of Whitman died Wednesday May 13th after a period of failing health. He was the husband of Joan M. (Russo) Kirby.
Born and raised in Whitman, he was the son of the late Francis and Mabel (Linn) Kirby and a graduate of Whitman High School Class of 1939.
Bernard was a proud Veteran of World War II having served as a First Lieutenant and light-bomber pilot in the US Army Air Corps from 1943 to 1945. During this time he flew over fifty missions and was a recipient of a Purple Heart, the Air Medal, and the European African-Middle Eastern Service Medal.
In 1945 he continued the family business, Kirby Insurance, which he operated until his retirement in 1987. He had been an active member of the Whitman community; he was president of the Whitman Kiwanis, Chairman of the Planning Board, a member of the Board of Directors for the Whitman Savings Bank, and served on the board for the Old Colony Y in Brockton, also a member of the Whitman VFW 697 and the K of C.
Bernard was an avid golfer and a member of the Brockton Country Club.
In addition to his wife he is survived by his daughters Mary E. Perry of Pembroke, Joan K. Forman and her husband John of South Portland Maine and Diane Bartlett and her husband Jeff of Oxford, Connecticut, his brother Atty. Edward P. Kirby of Whitman, his sister Rosalie Queeney of CT, his grandchildren Stephanie Wysocki and her husband Christopher, and Scott and Ryan Bartlett, his great granddaughter, Isabella Wysocki his step-children, Nick Russo, Dana Russo and his wife Carmen, Steven Russo and his wife Lenette, Sharon Howland and her husband Richard, Lori Rasmussen and her husband Peter and Karen Russo. He was predeceased by his former wife Margaret (Pegman) Kirby and he was also the brother of the late Dr. Francis A. Kirby, Jr, Marguerite Cunningham and Norma McConarty.
His funeral services will be held on Saturday May 16th at 8:15AM from the Blanchard Funeral Chapel Plymouth Street (Rt. 58 at the rotary) Whitman, followed by a 9:00AM mass in the Holy Ghost Church, Whitman. Internment will be in the St. James Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday May 15th from 4:00-7:00PM.Donations may be made in his name to the Alzheimer’s Assoc. 311 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA. 02472