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 cost 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 on the Plymouth/Kingston Line, and the Big Dig.[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