John Burgis Kirby, Jr., age 83, passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on December 1, 2014. He was born on September 3, 1931, in New Haven, Connecticut. John grew up in Meriden and spent summers in Pine Orchard. Eustis, Florida was a place where his family enjoyed gathering together throughout his life. During the Korean War, John served in the Army for two years, stationed in Japan and Taiwan. When he returned, he earned his degree from Yale in Japanese Area Studies. John married Janice Chapman in 1958. Shortly thereafter, he completed his Master's degree from Harvard in Oriental Fine Arts. After working at local art galleries in Worcester, Massachusetts, he became assistant director of the Yale Art Gallery. John continued his career as an architectural historian, specializing in Henry Austin's work and Victorian architecture in the New Haven area. As his family grew, John penned four children's books that were illustrated by his children. He pursued a lifelong interest in his family genealogy and in Branford history, writing countless articles, particularly about Stony Creek. He is survived by his wife, Janice Kirby; son Jon Kirby and wife Catherine; daughter Susan Kirby and husband Joe Murray; son Lane Kirby; and daughter Sara and husband John Mitchell and their children Michael and Colin.

A funeral service will be held at the Christ Church Congregational in Stony Creek at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 6th, followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: The Branford Land Trust, P.O. Box 254, Branford, CT, 06405; or to The Church of Christ Congregational, P.O. Box 3385, Stony Creek, CT, 06405. To sign the online guestbook please visit hawleylincolnmemorial.com.