Obituary: William Robinson Kirkby, 81, formerly of Bridgeport

BRIDGEPORT, CT - (From Pistey Funeral Home) William Robinson Kirkby, of Brewster, MA , beloved husband of Joan Lolatte Kirkby and father of Pamela J. Kirkby, William H. Kirkby and Jennifer (Kirkby) Mazzei died at age 81 on April 27, 2021.

Bill was born on January 12, 1940 to the late Elizabeth Robinson Kirkby and Harry Dalton Kirkby. He was predeceased by his younger brother Robert Kirkby and his older sister Barbara Kirkby Hall. Raised in Bridgeport’s North End, he graduated from Central High School in 1957.

Following high school, Kirkby worked at the United Illuminating Company until he entered the Army Reserves in 1962; he was honorably discharged in 1968.

In 1963, Bill began a decorated career with the Connecticut State Police.

His first assignment was as a Trooper at Troop G in Westport. From that time until 1973, he performed duties of uniformed State Police Patrolman from highway patrol to criminal investigation, and during that period he was also assigned to the Headquarters Narcotics Division, Detective Division and Criminal Intelligence Division.

From 1973 to 1974 he was assigned to the Bureau of State Fire Marshal, conducting arson investigations and general fire investigations to compliance inspections. In 1974 he was promoted to Sergeant and returned to Troop G, where he supervised the criminal investigative unit.

In 1977, he was promoted to Lieutenant and named Commander of Troop A, Southbury. In 1979 he returned to Troop G again and worked there as the Commanding Officer until 1981. He was then assigned the Director of Public Affairs at State Police Headquarters, was department spokesman and media relations Officer.

In November 1981, he was assigned the position of Commanding Officer of the Bureau of State Fire marshal, a division of the Connecticut State Police. In 1983, he was promoted to Captain. From 1986 to 1992, he was Commanding Officer of Governmental Affairs, and Commander of the State Capitol Police.

During his long career with the State Police, Kirkby was celebrated and recognized for numerous outstanding contributions to the department, such as organizing the Fairfield County Burglary Prevention Team, successful accident reduction program, maintaining positive relationships with courts, media and local police chiefs and municipal heads, improving department policies and goals, participation in the training and certification of officials, and improving upon fire and police safety codes, to name a few.

Additionally, he was responsible for the development of the Department of Public Safety Legislative Program, providing the legislature with the department position both in support of and opposition to legislation affecting law enforcement.

He was the legislative liaison and interacted closely with State Agencies, the Governor’s Office, and State and local law enforcement.

Upon his retirement from the State Police in March, 1992, Kirkby was sought after and hired to become the Executive Director of the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association. After lobbying on behalf of the Connecticut State Police, he became the lobbyist and coordinator for all business, activities, staff and committees which affect the goals, policies, and decisions of the Association, all which directly affected public safety on every level.

When he retired from the CPCA in 2002, the Association honored him with a scholarship in his name presented yearly to a worthy Police Officer at the rank of Captain and above, who sought to further their education. The current Director of the CPCA recently said of him “The Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, because of his guidance all those years ago, is a leader in law enforcement.”

Kirkby was a renowned public speaker and was often asked to be Master of Ceremonies, host, and/or speaker at numerous testimonials and functions. He was known for his friendly personality and clever sense of humor.

In addition to his hard work for law enforcement, he was a devout Episcopalian and served proudly on the Vestry at Trinity Episcopal Church, where he was also a Sunday school teacher, and volunteer. In 2002, Bill and Joan moved from Stratford to Brewster, Massachusetts.

They became members of the Church of the Holy Spirit in Orleans, where they both continued their steadfast worship.

Bill was an avid golfer who was a member of the Men’s Club Club at Whitney Farms in Monroe, CT, and a member of the Captain’s Golf Course in Brewster. He was also a member of the Brewster Men’s Club.

He also enjoyed playing golf in The Villages, Florida, where he and Joan vacationed for the past 20 years.

Bill attended Sacred Heart University, University of New Haven, and Babson College.Bill Kirkby left an immeasurable void in the life of his wife of 58 years.

He and Joan began “going steady” on Joan’s 16th birthday, and dated for 8 years prior to their wedding on May 18, 1963. He will also be terribly missed by his children, Pamela Kirkby (Herb Fisher) of Branford, CT, William H. Kirkby of Newport Beach, CA, and Jennifer Kirkby (Mark Jozokos) of North Reading, MA.

He was adored by his grandchildren Kelly Joseph of Branford, Ava and Ella Mazzei of North Reading, MA, and his step-grandchildren Matthew, Patrick and Kaitlyn Fisher, of CT. He was also so very close with several nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 8 at 11:00 outdoors at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1734 Huntington Turnpike, Trumbull, CT.

Visitation will be on Friday, May 7 from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Pistey Funeral Home, 2155 Main Street, Stratford, CT.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to his favorite charity, the Salvation Army. Please visit www.pisteyfuneralhome.com to express condolences online.