John "Rory" Roderick Kirby

February 15, 1928 – December 23, 2022

“To all those who contributed to my happiness, and with whom I shared my long, contented life, I owe my fondest gratitude”

Strong minded and sharp to the end, Rory died after an extended and courageous struggle with physical adversities.

Born in Cliftonville, Kent, United Kingdom, Rory was elder son of Air Commodore, John Lawrence Kirby CB CBE and Agnes May (Bay) Chisholm, and brother to Ronald Francis (all now deceased). Rory is survived by his half-sisters Sarah and Annie, his second wife Caroline, children Annabel (Carey), Jayne (Doug), Adrian (Denyse), Libby (Paul), John (Martina), stepsons Adam and Peter as well as ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Following his education at Ampleforth College and service as Second Lieutenant in the Royal Signals, Rory graduated with honour from Exeter University with a London University degree in physics. Rory’s first employment was at Meredith and Drew Biscuit Company where the personnel department introduced him to Isobel Russell Barr Hamilton because they shared the exact same birthday. They soon married on June 25, 1955.

Upon beginning their family in England an opportunity arose to move to Canada. Work with Northern Electric in Montreal (later known as Nortel Networks) held the promise of a better future. So, in 1957, Rory, Isobel, and Annabel crossed the ocean to begin a new life and grow their family. Rory spent over 30 years at Nortel Networks, with a final position in Toronto overseeing all Canadian Information Systems Departments.

Upon retirement in 1987, Rory and Isobel moved to Victoria BC. Together they planned and built a new home in Broadmead, the perfect spot. The gardens and landscape features that they created together, all with a beautiful view of Mount Baker, gave them much pleasure. How far they had come. BC was the right choice.

Rory and Isobel enjoyed many activities and talents together and quickly saw themselves embracing new friends and interests and at last embarking on the world travel that work, and family life had not allowed. This chapter sadly ended abruptly with Isobel’s death in 2005. Life forever changed.

Not one to idle Rory forged on. New DIY projects and hobbies, volunteer work and membership in Victoria Quilters Club yielded tremendous pleasure and fun. Rory was self-possessed, open-minded, and ever the enthusiast!

In 2008, at the age of eighty, to his joy, Rory met Caroline Hunter, also recently widowed. As an accomplished painter she had new skills to impart which reignited this creative expression in him. With membership in the Victoria Sketch Club, Caroline’s instruction, and guidance, and never too many outings to paint, their pleasure spending time together was not simply artistic.

In 2013 Rory married Caroline at her home in Oak Bay with their children and grandchildren in attendance. Rory and Caroline enjoyed happy years together renewed by their wonderful good fortune of having found one another. January would have been their tenth anniversary.

Thank you to all who sustained Rory’s quality of life. We look forward to a celebration of life event in Spring 2023 to be held at a place to be determined. If you wish to be notified about arrangements, please reply to [email protected].

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.firstmemorialsaanich.com for the Kirby family.