Cover photo for Raymond P. Kirby's Obituary
Raymond P. Kirby Profile Photo
1931 Raymond 2020

Raymond P. Kirby

May 30, 1931 — December 30, 2020

Raymond P. Kirby ~ May 30, 1931 – December 30, 2020 Ray passed away on December 30th at his home in Fitchburg where he was being cared for by his daughter’s.Ray was born in Gardner, MA on May 30, 1931 to Leona (LeBlanc) and Harvey Kirby. He was married for 61 years to his wife Annette, who passed away in April 2020. He was also predeceased by his sister as well as his two sister and three brothers in laws. Ray was part of the National Guard for 11 years where he received special acknowledgement for his service during the Worcester Tornado disaster in June 1953. He worked many years at Simons Saw & Steel and after retirement stayed involved through the Rec Club. He also enjoyed working at Capital Toys and BJ’s. Ray is loved by all, one of the happiest, easy going guys ever. Loved doing anyone a favor and loved having a favor done for him! He was beyond organized and always had whatever was needed “downstairs” or “in the shed”! He was a handy man that could fix anything and was always thinking about the next “Kirby Plan”, they were always good ones Dad! In his younger days, Ray was an active roller-skater. He loved roller skating and working at the Whalom Roller Rink. He was part of a team that roller-skated from Moran Square Fitchburg to the Boston Garden. He would travel in the New England area to roller skate at different rinks. He had many stories to tell and we all loved them! One of his great thrills was meeting Hank Snow back in 1948 in Nova Scotia while visiting his Uncle and then several years later at a concert. We all heard this story and enjoyed it every time! Ray leaves behind a family that loves and adores him. His daughters and their husbands and a son; Sharon and Perry Zanghi of Lunenburg, Susan and Kevin Canody of Fitchburg and David Kirby of Fair Oaks CA. He leaves his four grandchildren; Justin Zanghi of Portland ME, Brittney Ducharme and her husband Tom of Leominster, Courtney Canody of Fitchburg and Ryan Kirby of Gardner. He also leaves three Great-Grandchildren who he loved spending time; Hunter Canody, Ava Ducharme and Oliver Kirby. We will all miss him so very much. A special thanks to his nephew, Deacon Steve Gendron for bringing communion and praying with him as he prepared to go to heaven. We’d also like to thank Health Alliance Hospice for the support and care they provided to our family. A Mass will be held on Friday, January 8th at 10:00 am at Saint Cecilia Church, 180 Mechanic St., Leominster with burial following at Saint Cecilia Cemetery. Open to whomever feels comfortable attending. The family will plan a celebration of Ray’s Life at a later date. Simard Funeral Home, 14 Walker St., Leominster is assisting the family with arrangements.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Raymond P. Kirby, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Funeral Mass

Friday, January 8, 2021

Starts at 10:00 am (Eastern time)

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Burial

Friday, January 8, 2021

Starts at 11:00 am (Eastern time)

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Guestbook

Visits: 56

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree