Michael J. Kirby, 66

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Michael John Kirby, 66, of North Adams, Mass., died suddenly Monday, November 12, 2018, at Brandon General Hospital in Brandon, Fla.

He was born in North Adams, Mass., on January 27, 1952, son of Dorothy Mae (Fisk) Kirby and the late John Francis Kirby. He attended local schools and graduated from Drury High School with the class of 1971. Michael also attended Berkshire Community College. He served in the Massachusetts National Guard. Michael was employed with the Teamsters, 15 years at St. Johnsbury Trucking in Bennington, Vt., and retired in 2002 from Consolidated Freightways.

He was a communicant of the former Incarnation Church. Mike was a member of the North Adams Elks. He had many friends there and was president of its Sunday Morning NLC Club, where they discussed the philosophy of life in North Adams.

Mike enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his four grandchildren, who lovingly referred to him as Papa. He and Melinda enjoyed traveling in their RV, visiting Bar Harbor, Myrtle Beach and wintering in Florida with his two four-legged buddies, Hank and Greta.

Besides his mother, Dorothy Mae (Fisk) Kirby of North Adams, he is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Melinda (Muldowney) Kirby, whom he married on April 7, 1973; two children he adored, one daughter, Erin Kirby and her companion, Eric Boucher, of Oxford, Mass., and one son, Bryce Kirby and his wife, Kylee, of Bolton, Mass.; four grandchildren, including Colin Plante, Ryan Plante, Kennedy Kirby and McKinley Kirby; two brothers, Daniel and his wife Beverly Kirby of Stamford, Vt., and Christopher Kirby of Adams; two sisters, Jennifer Hoag of North Adams and Allison Kirby and her husband Reid Lyons of Grafton, N.Y.; his sister-in-law, Shannon Kirby of Malta, N.Y.; brother-in-law Graham and his wife Judy Muldowney, of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; sister-in-law Ellen Kriete and her husband Ernie of Milton, N.H.; along with many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his brother, Thomas Kirby.

Mike was a genuine hardworking man who was as sincere and genuine as one could be. He lived life to the fullest and had a vast group of friends. He will be missed by many.

Funeral notice: Funeral services to celebrate the life of Michael Kirby will take place Tuesday, November 20, 2018, at 11 a.m. at the Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapel, 521 West Main St., North Adams, Mass. Calling hours at the funeral home are Monday, November 19, 2018, from 4 to 7 p.m. Memorial donations are suggested for PopCares through the funeral home.