Gerald Richard Kirby Credit: Courtesy Gerald Richard “Jay” Kirby Jr., 58, of Colchester, Vt., passed peacefully on August 17, 2026, at McClure Miller Respite House in the arms of his mother and with his Aunt Pam Gagnon by his side. Born on July 29, 1968, in Burlington, Vt., the son of Lea h Ploof Racine and the late Gerald R. Kirby Sr., Jay lived a life marked by care for others and steadfast dedication to those in need. He graduated from Colchester High School in 1987 and soon began his working life as an LNA in several local nursing homes. In that role, he brought compassion and care to his patients in a way that was described as above and beyond. After the death of his first daughter, Jessica Marie Kirby, on April 12, 1990, at 17 months old, Jay continued his work as an LNA and eventually enrolled at the Fanny Allen School of Nursing. He graduated in 1994 as an LPN and went on to focus his nursing work in hospice and terminal care. That work reflected the compassion and caring that had been part of Jay’s life from the time he was a small child. On June 9, 2014, Jay married his best friend and the love of his life, Catherine Bessette, who passed suddenly on January 11, 2020. In May 2014, Jay was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy and was placed on the heart transplant list at Tufts Medical Center in Boston. In 2024, he was diagnosed with neuroendocrine carcinoma large cell cancer, an incurable cancer that he fought hard for two years. Jay is survived by his loving mother, Leah Racine, and stepdad, David “Papa Dave” Racine; children, Jonah Kirby, Malichi Kirby and their mother, Adriana Penalosa Kirby, and Rainia Underhill Kirby, daughter of the late Heidi Underhill, and Cathy’s daughters, Myra Bessette (Chris) and Maranda Bessette; and granddaughters, Chloe Leah Kirby, age 5, and Alana Denise Kirby, age 3, Jonah’s children. He is also survived by his dedicated brothers, Jeffrey J. Kirby, John C. Kirby, Richard G. Kirby (Jamie), Lee H. Kirby and Michael S. Kirby; his loving sisters, Laurie Reilly (Pat), Lisa Marie, Carrie Racine Nadeau (Todd) and Julie D. Racine; his very special aunt, Pamela Gagnon, who was there until the end; and his best friend, Christina Baker, who made his final days loving and supportive. Jay also leaves behind many close friends and relatives. In addition to his wife, Cathy, Jay was predeceased by his father; grandparents; uncle, Calvin J. Ploof Sr.; cousins, Calvin J. Ploof III and Scott Ploof; and his precious first child, Jessica Marie Kirby. Jay had a lifetime love of buying and selling antiques and collectibles, from the time he was 11 years old working at the Charlotte Flea Market. He also loved going to the casino, with his last trip taken from the respite house in a limo driven by his special cousin Brad Kirby. Jay was a very compassionate and caring person, and those who met and knew him loved him. His life was defined by service, especially through his work caring for others in nursing homes and in hospice and terminal care. He will be remembered with love by those named here and by all who knew him. We want to thank all the wonderful staff and volunteers at the McClure Miller Respite House for their loving care of Jay during his time there. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to McClure Miller Respite House, 3113 Roosevelt Highway, Colchester, VT. Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, 5 to 7 p.m., at LaVigne Funeral Cremation Services, 132 Main St., Winooski, VT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, August 27, 2026, 11 a.m., at St. John Vianney Church, with burial to follow in Resurrection Park Cemetery. To send condolences to the family, please visit vtfuneralhomes.com. The post Obituary: Gerald Richard “Jay” Kirby Jr., 1968-2026 appeared first on Seven Days. ...read more read less