Capt. Daniel P. Kirby

Capt. Daniel P. Kirby, a maritime industry executive died on Sunday, November 3, 2013. He was 75. Capt. Kirby was born in Manhattan on October 2, 1938 the first son of the late NYC Fireman, Daniel P. Kirby and Julia Griffin Kirby who both emigrated from County Kerry, Ireland. Following his graduation from Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx, NY, he was accepted into the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY. Upon graduating from Kings Point in 1960 he was commissioned as an officer in the U. S. Navy. He was stationed in Vietnam, where upon he received two purple hearts. He subsequently began his career in the U. S. Merchant Marine as a licensed deck officer with Delta Steamship Lines, Inc. calling at ports in South America and West Africa. In 1966 he obtained his U. S. Coast Guard Unlimited Master's License and was promptly assigned as Master on several Delta Line vessels. Shortly thereafter Capt. Kirby was brought into the shore side management at Delta where he rose to the position of Senior Vice President prior to his departure in 1983. In 1984 he joined Pacific-Gulf Marine, Inc. as Senior Vice President. In 1990 he was named as President of Pacific-Gulf. In 1994 he retired. Capt. Kirby was a member of the Council of American Master Mariners, past 1st VP of the Propeller Club of New Orleans, Board of Directors-New Orleans Steamship Association, the Society of Naval Architects & Marine Engineers, American Institute of Merchant Shipping, Council of American Ship Owners, and the National Cargo Bureau. A lifelong supporter of his Alma Mater, Kings Point, Capt. Kirby was recognized by his federal academy with the "Outstanding Professional Achievement Award" in 1981. Capt. Kirby leaves behind his devoted and loving wife, Gerry, his brother, John (wife: Nancy), along with nephews, Michael and John, Jr., and their respective families. He is also survived by his stepchildren, Debbie Applebaum (husb: Robert), David Calogero (wife: Gina), Pascal Calogero III (wife: Kristin), Elizabeth Calogero, Thomas Calogero (wife: Lindsay), Michael Calogero (wife: Amanda), Stephen Calogero (wife: Kim), and Gerald Calogero, also numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews, loving sisters-in-law, Shirley Cope, and Marian Bourgeois, brother-in-law, Donald Bourgeois, and dear friend, Todd Johnson. He was preceded in death by his sister, Brenda Hassett, and his dear friend, Capt. Peter Johnson. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at LAKE LAWN METAIRIE FUNERAL HOME, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans, on Thursday, November 7, 2013 at 2:00PM. Interment will follow in All Saints Mausoleum. A visitation will be held at the funeral home beginning at 11:00AM. A special thank you from the Kirby family to the staff of nurses, doctors, and chaplain at Ochsner Hospital for their compassion and care. To view and sign the guest book, visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.