Edward M. Kirby

KIRBY, Edward M.- Of Wilmington, formerly of Malden, May 27th. Devoted husband of the late Adrianna (McKenzie). Beloved father of Michael E. Kirby and his wife Jeanne Argento of Danvers and Edward F. Kirby and his wife Holly of Wilmington. Brother of James Kirby of Everett and the late John and Katherine Kirby. Cherished grandfather of Kyle, Hannah, Samuel and Kate. Family and friends are kindly invited to attend a Funeral from the Carroll Funeral Home, 721 Salem Street, (Maplewood Square) MALDEN on Monday, June 3rd at 9 AM followed by a Funeral Mass celebrated in St. Joseph's Church, 770 Salem Street, Malden at 10 o'clock. Visiting Hours in the Carroll Funeral Home on Sunday from 2-6 PM. Services will conclude with interment at Forest Dale Cemetery, Malden. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the MSPCA-ANGELL, Attn: Donations, 350 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02130

Born in Boston, MA. on March 29,1934 he was the son of the late Christopher Kirby & Mary (McMaster) Kirby.  Edward is survived by his brother James Kirby and wife Bertha. He is preceded in death by his wife Adrianna (McKenzie) Kirby, his brother John Kirby of Woburn and sister Katherine Kirby of Malden.

Edward grew up in Charlestown then, as a young boy, moved to Malden with his family. He worked in his parents business Kirby Rest Home in Malden before beginning his first career as a machinist at Continental Can Co. in Malden. While working at the Continental Can Co., Ed studied metallurgy and tool & die making at Wentworth Institute while becoming a Class “A” machinist.

He met and then married Adrianna (McKenzie) on May 17, 1958.  He raised two sons, Michael and Edward while living in Malden.  Ed was very involved with the Malden youth hockey programs where he coached for many years while his sons played.

“Pappy” was a lifelong scuba diver and a member of the Boston Sea Rovers during the 1950’s and 1960’s.  He was also a rescue and recovery diver often being summoned away from work to assist in a drowning recovery. In 1960, he was involved with water recovery operations of the passengers of the flight 375 Lockheed Electra plane crash in Boston Harbor.

After working more than 30 years as a machinist, in 1984, Continental Can Co. closed unexpectedly. At 49 years old, and being too young to retire, Ed started his 2nd career and founded Atlantic Millwrights Inc., a millwright, rigging and welding company.   He was soon joined by his two sons and together, with his wife Adrianna managing the office, they began this new venture.  Through many years of hard work, the business took off and has flourished ever since; a fact of which Ed was especially proud. Today, the company is located in North Reading, MA with over 30 employees and expanding every year.

He enjoyed more than 25 years of boating, fishing and diving with his family and friends aboard his boat and could always be found enjoying the waters from Boston to Gloucester. His cherished dog Luke always on the boat keeping watch with his wife and co-captain “Addie” on deck.  “Eddie and Addie” as they were known could always be heard singing along to their favorite Irish tunes coming from the radio aboard the “Christopher 1” (named after his dad).

When his wife became ill and started her long battle with Alzheimer’s disease, he never left her side and would visit her twice a day, always making sure that she was well cared for until her passing in 2007. He continued working and occupied his leisure time attending Patriots football games with his sons, as well as playing pool and billiards in several leagues around greater Boston. “Fast Eddie” as he was known around the tables got to travel to tournaments in Las Vegas with his friends with frequent local trips to the casinos in Connecticut to “walk away with house money”.  He also enjoyed traveling out west to visit friends in California and Arizona.  In 2013, he traveled to Ireland to visit the birthplace of his father Christopher.

Pappy is survived by his son Michael and wife Jeanne of Danvers, son Edward and wife Holly of Wilmington and was a devoted grandfather to his grandchildren Kyle, Hannah, Samuel and Kate.

He loved his family and friends very much and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

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