Ernest Kirby

Ernest J. Kirby, 95, of Gardner, passed away in his home on Sunday, June 20, 2021.

Born in Gardner on February 20, 1926, he was the son of the late Fred Kirby and Eugenie (Roy, Kirby) Girouard. Ernest served in the Navy aboard the battleship USS Iowa during World War II. Upon his return to Gardner, he married Florence Zetkowsky to whom he was wedded for 29-years until her passing. In 1979, he remarried Annette Bourque.

Ernest served as a Gardner Police officer for several years before joining Simplex Time Recorded Co. where he worked for 41-years until his retirement in 1988.

He enjoyed a number of activities during retirement including fishing, model making, reading, making pen and pencil sets as well as spending time with family.

He is survived by his wife Annette, son Alan Kirby and wife Pamela, sister Diana Houde, grandchildren Sarah and Nicholas as well as three great-grandchildren Ryan, Isabelle, and Alexander together with many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by his brother Ronald Kirby and grandson James Kirby.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, June 30, 2021, with a Mass at 10:00 a.m. in Annunciation Parish at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, 135 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA. Burial will follow at Notre Dame Cemetery, West Street, Gardner.

There are no calling hours.

Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or on their website at (www.stjude.org) or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Please reference in memory of Ernest J. Kirby.