Edward Paul "Ned" Kirby[2] (January 10, 1928 – January 3, 2017) was an American politician and lawyer from Massachusetts.
Edward P. Kirby | |
|---|---|
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| Member of the Massachusetts Senate | |
| In office January 7, 1981 – January 6, 1993 | |
| Preceded by | Robert E. McCarthy |
| Succeeded by | Therese Murray |
| Constituency | 2nd Plymouth district (1981-1989) Plymouth and Barnstable district (1989-1993) |
| Commissioner of the Plymouth County Commission | |
| In office January 1969 – January 1977 | |
| Preceded by | Norman G. McDonald |
| Succeeded by | Joseph W. McCarthy |
| Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives | |
| In office January 4, 1961 – January 4, 1967 | |
| Preceded by | Malcolm B. Boynton |
| Succeeded by | Charles W. Mann |
| Constituency | 5th Plymouth district (1961-1965) 4th Plymouth district (1965-1967) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Edward Paul Kirby January 10, 1928 Whitman, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | January 3, 2017 (aged 88) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Mary Alice Kirby |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | College of the Holy Cross (AB) Boston College (JD) |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1952–1955 |
| Rank | First Lieutenant (active)[1] Captain |
| Unit | J.A.G. Corps |
| Battles/wars | Korean War |
Education
editHe graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in 1949 and Boston College Law School in 1952.[3][4]
Military service
editHe served in the United States Army during the Korean War.[5] He served with the Army Judge Advocate General Corps.[5] He later served as a Captain in the Army Reserves.[6]
Legal career
editHe practiced law and served as Town Counsel for Whitman, Massachusetts.[7][5]
Political career
editFrom 1961 to 1967, Kirby was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.[3] From 1969 to 1977 he was a Plymouth County Commissioner.[3] From 1981 to 1993 he served in the Massachusetts Senate.[3] He was the Third Assistant Minority Leader from 1983 to 1989 and again from 1991 to 1993.[3] He served in all positions as a Republican.[5] He ran in the 2004 State Representative General Election for the 7th Plymouth district but lost to Kathleen M. Teahan.[8] He served on the Whitman Republican Town Committee.[9] He founded the Plymouth County Development Council.[9][5]
Political positions & notable legislation
editHe was pro-life.[10] In 1989, he was opposed to a gay rights bill which would have prohibited discrimination against gays and lesbians in housing, employment and credit.[11] Some believe this action may have costed him his seat in the 1992 State Senate election to Therese Murray.[12] He successfully helped pass legislation which went toward economic development for Whitman, the South Shore, the return of commuter rail service from Boston to Plymouth, the Big Dig, and the Old Colony Lines.[10]
Later career
editHe was appointed as a Administrative Law Judge by Governor Bill Weld, and was an Appeals Judge in Workers Compensation.[10][6][9]
Personal life
editHe and his wife Mary Alice Kirby had three children.[10]
Death
editHe died on January 3, 2017.[10]
References
edit- ^ Nationwide Gravesite Locator (Veterans Affairs)
- ^ Obituary
- ^ a b c d e 1991–1992 Public Officers of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
- ^ "Edward P. Kirby". The Patriot Ledger. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
- ^ a b c d e Guide to the Edward Kirby Collection, 1954-2004
- ^ a b About Ned
- ^ Public officers of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (1961-1962)
- ^ 2004 State Representative General Election - 7th Plymouth District
- ^ a b c Senator Kirby Endorses Mark Alliegro
- ^ a b c d e Edward P. "Ned" Kirby, Veteran - January 03, 2017
- ^ Bulger Hastens Gay Rights Bill
- ^ A true public servant: Whitman mourns former state Sen. Ned Kirby