Thomas Charles Kirby (Tom) of Garden City, NY, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and cousin passed peacefully at his home surrounded by his family after a long battle with Parkinsons and Lewy Body dementia at the age of 88. Born in Brooklyn, NY, he lived in Garden City for 80 years. Tom will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 61 years Germaine, his children Melissa Kirby and Alexandra Taylor (Denny), his grandchildren Matthew and Brian Taylor, his brother Terry Kirby (Patty), along with his nephews Colin Crowley (Joellen) and Ian Crowley, cousins, grand nieces and nephews. 

He was pre-deceased by his parents Ken and Alva Kirby, sister Karen Crowley, and brother Kenny Kirby. Tom lived life to the fullest and was very active both intellectually and athletically. Growing up in Garden City, he attended St Joseph’s School, Chaminade High School, and graduated from Garden City High School. He played sports especially football, played bassoon, and participated in theater productions.  He spent his childhood summers at Camp Kooaukee in New Hampshire where he made lifelong friends, was a sleepaway camp director, and shared tall tales of his adventures. He also life guarded at Jones Beach.

He enjoyed his experience at Dartmouth College ‘60 and Tuck School of Business ’61 and was a member of Psi Epsilon Fraternity and continued to stay involved in reunions, conducting alumni interviews and as a class reporter for over 30 years. ROTC at Dartmouth, he would later serve in the Army as 1st Lieutenant in the 82d Airborne Division where he completed his Division Jumpmaster training at Fort Bragg.  

In the 1970s and 1980s, Tom was known for his work in turnaround management, helping manufacturing companies across the country improve and grow. His experience spanned diverse industries, including photo printing, hand-blown glass, fine China, and sleeping bag manufacturing.

Tom and his wife Germaine traveled the world where he sailed, skied, scuba dived and experienced new cultures. A life-long learner, Tom was an avid reader and enjoyed drawing, writing, photography, learning foreign languages, musical instruments, restoring and driving his Austin Healey and earning his pilot’s license. He ran the NYC Marathon, participated in NYC Triathlon, and ran in the GC Turkey Trot from its inception. In the summer, you could find him ocean swimming ‘beyond the jetties’ along Atlantic Beach as a member of ABC initially and later Lawrence Beach Club.

However, with all these activities and his adventurous spirit, Toms’ greatest love was golfing and the Garden City Golf Club. He played regularly, acted as the club Historian, and wrote and produced the Club’s newsletter with great care to honor its history, legacy and members.  A craftsman, he often made custom clubs for his friends and family to the point where there was always a putter to be found in some corner of the house. A volunteer for the LI Golf Association, he officiated numerous tournaments and was Director of Public Relations.

We would like to thank his many caregivers, especially his daughter Melissa who cared for him for many years.
A memorial service is planned for September date to be announced.