Obituary of Leon Kirby

Leon (Lee) E. Kirby, born in Ogdensburg, NY on July 23, 1940, passed away suddenly at his home in Endwell, NY on June 30, 2017. He was predeceased by his parents Donald L. and Irene (Bushaw) Kirby and a son Peter Kirby. Lee is survived by his loving wife, Ann Kirby; his children, Christopher Kirby, Denver, CO; Matthew (Nicole) Kirby, Buena Park, CA; Sara Kirby, Paoli, PA; Patrick (Veza) Kirby, Murrieta, CA; a stepson, Jeffrey D. Merrill, MD, Berkeley, CA; stepdaughter Lynn Merrill, Elkridge, MD; stepson James (Wendy) Merrill of Sterling, MA; grandchildren Ella and Hazel Kirby, Buena Park, CA; Annabel Simkhovich, Paoli, PA; Chloe Kirby, Murrieta, CA; and step grandsons, Justin and Ryan Merrill. He is also survived by brothers Rev. Donald Kirby, S.J., James (Kathy) Kirby, David (Cynthia) Kirby, Peter (Nancy) Kirby, all of Syracuse, NY; John (Sue) Kirby, Norwell, MA; sisters Mary (William) Manfred, Martha (Steve) Paraszczak, both in Clifton Park, NY; twenty one nieces and nephews; and the mother of his children, Donna Kirby. Lee graduated from St. Mary's Academy in Ogdensburg, NY and SUNY Canton where he was president of the Student Council. He entered the Army Security Agency in 1960 and served in Korea for 16 months and at several bases in the US. While serving in the Agency he earned the award as Outstanding Soldier of the 3rd Army in Fort Wolters, TX, an Army Commendation Medal and a Medal of Foreign Service while in Korea. Upon discharge from the Army, Lee worked for National Cash Register in Syracuse, NY. In 1966, Lee and his partner John Peck co-founded Southern Tier Cash Register, Inc. in Binghamton, NY. During the final 18 years of Lee's tenure at STCR, the company was a Premier Business Partner with IBM specializing in retail systems for supermarkets. He sold STCR, Inc. in 2005 after 39 years and retired. Lee was a member of the Church of the Holy Family in Endwell and previously a lector at Saint Patrick's in Binghamton. He was a member of ASA KOREA and was the editor of the newsletter. He belonged to the Binghamton Rotary Club and was a past president. He was on the board of PAL (Binghamton Police Athletic League) and belonged to SCORE, which is an organization dedicated to helping entrepreneurs with business advice. Leisure activities included playing in a men's hockey league, traveling, serving on civic boards and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was a lifetime member of the VFW. In retirement, Lee and Ann spent their winters in their condo in Indialantic, FL. He also enjoyed golf in Binghamton in the summer and Florida in the winter. A Funeral Mass will be offered at the Church of the Holy Family, 3600 Phyllis Street, Endwell, Friday at 1 p.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City. The family will receive friends at the J.A. McCormack Sons Funeral Home, 141 Main Street, Binghamton Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in memory of Lee may be made to Binghamton Rotary Club, P.O. Box 462, Vestal, NY 13851 or Police Athletic League, 38 Hawley Street, Binghamton, NY 13901.