KIRBY, Professor Dr. John Patrick

KIRBY, Professor Dr. John Patrick - It is with deep sorrow that I announce the death of my beloved companion Professor Dr. John Patrick Kirby. Born in Dublin, Ireland, on the 2nd of May, 1947 and died in Brussels, Belgium, on the 10th of July, 2009, enfolded in the peace of the Lord. John grew up in Bray, County Wicklow, the son of Michael Kirby and Christina Kerley. He attended Presentation College Bray and then went on to Trinity College, Dublin, where his main subjects were History and English. Having graduated, he trained as a teacher and as a librarian. He later gained a doctorate in Linguistics from his old Alma Mater. After moving to Belgium, he pursued his academic career with great enthusiasm and dedication. He lectured not only in English language and linguistics, but also in English and Irish literature and translation from French into English. Meanwhile, he did research, wrote articles and took part in international conferences. All this steadfast work was crowned by a Professorship at the University of Mons-Hainaut (Belgium), Faculty of Translation and Interpreting. John had a warm engaging personality and he touched many lives, with an encouraging word, with a piece of advice and with his sense of humour. He always thought of ways to be helpful to others. He was also a gifted painter and poet and he loved singing and playing Irish folk music on his guitar, besides being a connoisseur of classical music and art. He was a spiritual person and lived by his professed Christian principles. Thanks be to God for this sweet companion and for this fruitful life. - Lieve