Eight Bells: Jerome R. Kirby Jr.

Jerome R. Kirby Jr.

Jerome R. Kirby Jr., 93 years of age, died on December 4, 2023 in Newport, RI. He was the son of the late Jerome R. Kirby and Ann Mulligan Kirby. He was predeceased by his wife of 66 years Helen C. Kirby, his sister Ann Kirby, and brother James W. Kirby.

Jerry served in the Marine Corps, and after completion of active-duty service, he returned to Newport with his wife Helen, where he began his career in the insurance business with Newport Realty Trust Corp., later changed to Kirby Insurance. He was President and owner of Kirby Insurance and Kirby Real Estate.

Active in the community, he was honored for being the founder of youth hockey (Hilton Athletic Club) on Aquidneck Island, later to become Newport Youth Hockey. Jerry raced on Gleam as the trial horse for the America’s Cup races in 1958. He sailed in the 1967 Annapolis to Newport race and the 1968 Transatlantic from Bermuda to Travemunde, Germany. – Full report