Obituary of Alfred Hurbert Kirby

Mr. Alfred “Big Al” Kirby, 76, of State Highway 10, Canajoharie passed away unexpectedly, Friday, August 24, 2018 in Oneonta.

Born on April  24, 1942, in Newark, NJ, he was the son of the late Alfred Kirby and Eleanor Harrison Kirby.  He attended school in New York City and Deposit.  He had been a resident of the Canajoharie area for the past 45 years, previously residing in Ephratah. 

Al was the Caretaker of Canajoharie Falls Cemetery for the past 45 years.  He was also the morning fitness director of the Canajoharie Central School.  Prior to working for the cemetery he worked for Amsterdam Memorial Hospital. 

Mr. Kirby was a member of the former Ephratah Methodist Church.

Al loved weight lifting, winning many heavy weight lifting tournaments.  He was a founding member of the Gorilla Pack of Fonda.  He was the former owner and operator of the Fire Eagle Kung Fu Academy in St. Johnsville, member of the Silver Spurs Riding Club, volunteer at the former Mid-County Vol. Ambulance, softball coach and weight lifter at the Canajoharie Youth Center.

On June 25, 1967, Al married Barbara J. Christman. 

His grandson, Earl Wilcox, and cousin, Bill Harrison predeceased him.

Al is survived by his wife of 52 years, Barbara J. Kirby of Canajoharie, NY; daughters, Raechelle “Shelly” Valenti of Fort Plain, NY, Lynnae Wilder and Kenneth of Fort Plain, NY; sons, Larkin Kirby and Rebecca of Palatine Bridge, NY, Ronald Wilcox and Tontionna Frasier of Fort Plain, NY; 11 grandchildren, Ashley, Jarret, Brianna, Joseph, Jenah, Alexia, Haleigh, Savanniah, Jayonna, Jayonna, Avylina; 4 great-grandchildren, Zoey, Skylar, Kylie, and Cayde. Al also leaves behind his beloved dog Rascal and cat Muffins.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 30, 2018 at 2:00pm at The Chapel of Houghtaling & Smith Funeral Home, Inc., 20 Otsego Street, Canajoharie, NY.  The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday, from Noon to 2:00pm at the funeral home.  Burial will take place in Canajoharie Falls Cemetery.

Contributions in memory of Mr. Alfred Kirby may be made to the Capital City Rescue Mission, 259 S. Pearl Street, Albany, NY 12202 or to the Paralyzed Veterans of America online at www.pva.org

Please sign the online guestbook for Mr. Al Kirby at www.houghtalingandsmith.com