Timothy J. Kirby, 75, of Manchester, passed away February 6, 2025. He was the son of the late Frank and Delia (Wood) Kirby. Raised in a Manchester where small neighborhood grocery stores were found on local streets, and everyone knew each other at Singing Beach, especially on Sunday mornings after church, where family gatherings and cookouts were a ritual, Tim Kirby loved his town.
Tim graduated from Manchester High School, class of 1967. During college, he drove taxi for one of a few cab companies in town. He also worked alongside his father in his father’s company, Kirby Construction, building roads and bridges throughout Massachusetts. He received an associate of business from Bryant Stratton in Boston and began his 50-year business career in insurance, brokering for John Hancock, Mahoney & Wright, Eastern Insurance, and most recently, Gallagher Insurance.
Through the years, Tim contributed to his town serving as Park Commissioner, and then, as Chair of the DPW. He volunteered for 18 years in the Town of Manchester. Tim was President of the Manchester Club, and served on the Manchester Club Scholarship committee, the Sons of the Legion Scholarship committee, and the Bill Scott committee.
Tim was Grand Knight of the 1232 Knights of Columbus. For years, he was a fixture on the cooking team for the Knights’ monthly dinners and ran the Turkey Shoot at Sacred Heart Parish.
As a huge music fan his whole life, he could be seen enjoying music while driving in his ‘64 Corvette in earlier years, and in his ‘08 Corvette in later years, cruising Black/White Beaches, the circle at Singing Beach, or Tuck’s Point. In later years, sitting with his wife at Masconomo park overlooking the beautiful Manchester Harbor with Laughing Gull goodies brought him much contentment.
As much as Tim loved the seaside, he loved spending summer and autumn days in the mountains at the family’s summer home in Ossipee, NH. He was handy at all manner of creating and fixing up projects which he took much pride in.
Tim will be remembered for his incredible sense of humor, always leaving a fellow conversationalist with a wide smile on their face, laughter emerging and appreciation for being alive. His stories of Manchester throughout the years could fill volumes.
His family holds dear his incredible caring for them and all the wonderful memories. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 48 years, Sandra, his cherished daughter, Alexandra, cherished grandchildren Willow, Tim, and Arietta (who knew him as “Da”), son-in-law, Joshua Wagner, and sister MaryDee Kirby. He was predeceased by his brother Curtis F. Torrey.
According to Tim’s wishes, a private burial service will be held in the spring, followed by a Celebration of Life for family and friends.
Contributions may be made in Tim’s memory to the Sons of the American Legion Post 113 Scholarship Fund in Manchester (mail to Legion, PO Box A, Manchester). Arrangements by Campbell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot Street, Beverly. Condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com.
