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Aug
21
Visitation
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Ready Funeral & Cremation Services South Chapel
261 Shelburne Road, Burlington, VT 05401
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Ready Funeral Service, Inc. - South ChapelRene Kirby Obituary
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Rene was born on February 27, 1955, in Burlington, the son of Donald E. Kirby and Janet M. Bourget Kirby. He was a graduate of Burlington High School class of 1975. Rene was employed at IBM for thirteen years and spent many years as a motivational speaker for "differently abled" people. He excelled at gymnastics, skiing, car restorations and coin collecting. He loved hunting, fishing and anything that someone said he couldn't do.
He is survived by his mother, Janet; brothers, Ric of Fort Lauderdale, FL, Daryl (Diana) of Grosse Point, MI, and Jon (Julia) of Burlington; sisters, Donna (Stuart) Porter of The Villages, FL; Cheryl St Amour of Burlington, and Jean (Ron) Sweeney of Burlington; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, Donald, in 2022.
Memorial services will be held on Thursday, August 21, 2025, from 4-6 p.m. at the Ready Funeral Home South Chapel, 261 Shelburne Road, Burlington. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation at www.t2t.org. A one time or monthly donation can be made in his honor.
Arrangements are in the care of the Ready Funeral & Cremation Services.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
5 Entries
Shirley Sweet
July 25, 2025
Rene always had a smile for everyone. A very kind and thoughtful man. His disability never stopped him from doing anything, to him he had no disabilities and to those who knew him, they too didn´t see it. He was a man who lived and lived life. Fly high Rene and show heaven your spirit!
Cheryl, I´m so sorry for your loss and to the rest of your family.
Shirley Sweet
Randi - Anne Duval
July 25, 2025
Rene was an amazing man
He gave my brother who also had spina bifida a tricycle years ago
Was just so kind!!
Condolences to his family
Kathy Deal
July 24, 2025
My condolences to Rene´s family. Rene was one of a kind and definitely spread a lot of kindness and laughs to this world. He was such an inspiration and lived life to the fullest, never letting his disability or anything else stop him. I loved engaging in conversations with him. He had the greatest stories and he would make you laugh and smile and he would lift you up with his positivity. Fly High Rene. You made this world a better place and now will spread your joy in Heaven.
Kathy Deal
Lee Briwn
July 24, 2025
I´ve known Rene since his days at BHS. Used to watch him compete in gymnastics. And then I saw him ski at Smuggs, incredible! I would cross paths with him over time and through my years at Vt Gas. Always had a smile and a laugh. No one lived life to the fullest more than Rene Kirby! The world just lost a great human being. Lee Brown
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Melanie Johnson
July 23, 2025
Rene. What can I say about a man that showed so much kindness. It was such a pleasure to know you, and have heart to hearts together. You are one in a million.
I hope you are running through fields of amber gold, happy, healthy, and full of life. I´ll miss you.
Sending my heartfelt condolences to his mom and family.
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Upcoming Events
Aug
21
Visitation
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Ready Funeral & Cremation Services South Chapel
261 Shelburne Road, Burlington, VT 05401
Send FlowersServices provided by
Ready Funeral Service, Inc. - South Chapel