DONNELLY, KIRBY EVERETT - April 17, 1931 to June 11, 2013 - On June 11, 2013 Kirby Everett Donnelly passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Born April 17, 1931 in Moncton, he was the son of the late Annie (Lutes) and the late Thomas Donnelly. Kirby served in the Canadian Army for 20 years. During his service he had several postings and travelled the world to train and serve. With the Dragoons from 1951-1953, he served in Germany. He continued his service in several Canadian locations and became an MP in 1955 which was a role he loved. He served as a peace keeper in Cyprus in 1966 and retired as a Corporal in 1968. Following retirement he was also a member of the Militia in Moncton. At retirement he returned to Moncton with his family where he started his 2nd career with the City of Moncton. He worked as a heavy machine operator and could always be seen proudly sweeping the streets and plowing sidewalks. He retired in 1993 after 20+ years of service. Retirement did not suit Kirby so he went on to a 3rd career with the Commissionaires where he worked security with Atlantic Lottery for 10 years, until his illness made it impossible to work. Kirby was an avid card player and enjoyed candlepin bowling as well as lawn bowling. He was the Grand Master of the L.T.B.A. Lodge and a member of the Senior Citizens Club where he enjoyed crib on Friday afternoons. He attended Cherryfield Baptist Church and was also a member of St. John’s United Church. Kirby is survived by his wife of 58 years, Udevilla (Billie) Spice; six daughters, Victoria, Linda (Michael Smith), Nancy (Vincent Basque), Michelle (Ben Cotton); Amanda (Brad Sutherland) of Moncton and Debbie (Jim Mason) of Sugarland, Texas; 13 grandchildren, Daphne, Danny, Deirdre, Nicole, Bethany, Lilian, Samantha, Corinne, Devin, Megan, Teagan, Hunter, Kaelan; two great-grandchildren, Amaris and Jay; two sisters, Myrtle Cormier (Wilson), and Byrnie (Ed Bratton); a brother, Stewart Donnelly (Lois), sister-in-law Bernice Donnelly (Tom); several nieces and nephews and ex son-in-law Bob Pavlovszky. Besides his parents he was predeceased by sisters, Laura McLellan, Dorothy Whitenect, Colleen Donnelly and brothers Clinton and Thomas. As your expression of sympathy memorial donations to the Cherryfield Baptist Church Building Fund or to The Moncton Hospital new oncology wing would be appreciated by the family.
Visitation will be held at Fair Haven Funeral Home on Thursday, June 13, 2013 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm and 7:00pm to 9:00pm. A service to celebrate Kirby’s life will be held in the chapel of Fair Haven Funeral Home on Friday, June 14, 2013 at 11:00am. A reception will follow in the Garden View Reception Room. Interment will be held at Fair Haven Memorial Gardens. An online book of condolence is available at www.fairhavenmemorial.ca