| Date of Birth | July 2, 1945 |
| Passed Away | June 4, 2011 |
| Place of Residence | Arkport |
| Home State | NY |
| Service Date | June 8, 2011 |
| Service Time | 11:00 AM |
| Service Location | St Ann's Church |
| Interment Location | Fremont Cemetery |
Joe F. Kilbury
Obituary
Joe F. Kilbury, 65, of 8223 Cream Hill Road, Arkport, 14807, passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer on June 4, 2011 at St. James Mercy Health, with his loving family by his side. Born in Hornell July 2, 1945, the son of the late Worden and Teresa (McCarthy) Kilbury. Surviving is his wife of forty-six years, Norma (Sick) Kilbury. Joe and Norma were married at St. Ignatius Loyola Church in Hornell on July 3, 1965. Joe was a 1964 graduate of Arkport Central School and attended Paul Smith College. He worked at the New York State Department of Transportation as a Civil Engineer for thirty-seven and one-half years, retiring in 2003. After retirement, he continued working as a consultant for MacFarland and Johnson and presently working as Engineer in Charge at Hunt Engineering for the City of Elmira. He owned and operated a Land Management business and also did land surveying. He was a Cub Scout Master, a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks Lodge #364 for thirty-four years, where he held the role of Exultant Ruler and was also a Trustee for several years. Joe was an avid sportsman and loved the great outdoors. He was a member of the Alleghany Plateau Association of Professional Land Surveyors, Arkport Rod and Gun Club, Hornell Sportsman Club, a life-time member and sponsor of the Ruffed Grouse Society, a sponsor of the National Wild Turkey Federation, a member of the Quality Deer Management Association, a life-time member of the National American Rifle Association, a member of Pheasants Forever, the New York State Trappers Association, Ducks Unlimited, and the Lake Hollow Conservation Club.
Joe was a volunteer fireman for the Fremont Fire Company and served as Fire Chief for several years. He was also a member of the Chemung Valley Region Car Club, and a member of the Steuben County Republican Committee. He was always busy helping others and had a strong zest for life. He enjoyed his family, especially his grandchildren. He always made time to attend their sports activities and school functions. Joe’s motto was “just keep on smiling”, even when he knew the dark clouds were moving in.
Other family survivors include his son, Jeffrey (Adele) Kilbury of Arkport and his daughter, Julie (Erik) Briggs of Dansville. Grandchildren Jessica Kilbury of Buffalo, Alaina Kilbury of Arkport, and Erin and Justin Briggs of Dansville. Sister and brother-in-law, Joanne and Thomas Spencer of Rochester. Several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Family and friends may call from 5 8 PM, Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home Inc., 285 Main Street, Hornell. A Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks will hold a Memorial Service at 8:00 PM. A Catholic Mass will be held at St. Anns Church in Hornell at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, June 8, 2011. Interment will be at the Fremont Cemetery, Town of Fremont.
Memorial donations can be made in the name of Joe F. Kilbury to Our Lady of the Valley Parish, 31 Erie Avenue, Hornell, NY 14843, The First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 6 Arkport, NY 14807, or Fremont Volunteer Fire Company, P.O. Box 462, Arkport, NY 14807.
Online condolences or remembrances of Joe are welcomed at www.bishopandjohsonfuneralhome.com
Sincere condolences to Norma and Family. Joe was a great guy! I have memories of him since grade school…most of the memories make me laugh..Joe was a special man who will be missed by not just his family but a large extended community.
Julie and Family – I’m so very sorry for your loss. Your father was a great friend to ours and to us, too.
Norma and family, I was so sorry to hear about the passing of Joe. He was such a dear and long-time friend to my father, Alexander Kowtun. His kindness, and friendship will be missed. I have fond memories of Mr. and Mrs. Kilbury at my wedding nearly 11 years ago. May Joe rest in peace and may God bring him close beside Him.
Joe….you were a TRUE dear dear friend and will be sorely missed. I now have a void deep inside me. Rest in Peace
So sorry to hear of your loss. When Joe was here at the tire place last Saturday the 29th of May,I knew he didn’t feel well and I talked to him about it and he was very positive. So very, very sorry to hear about your loss, He was a very nice man and always called Teddy when he was in “trouble” with his tires. Always told me he’d messed up again. We will miss him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Norma,Jeff and Julie….So sorry to hear about Joe. I always enjoyed running into Joe, whether it was in the neighborhood or downtown in a store or restaurant. We always shared a nice conversation and you three were always mentioned. We are away on Tuesdays but know our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Norma, Jeff, and Julie,
I was so sorry to hear of Joe passing. Take comfort in the fact that he will be with you always, and that you will see him again one day.
A wonderful husband, father and grandfather has passed on.
Joe was a great class mate at Arkport and agreat man who married a great girl ( Norma) I’m very sorry for your loss, Norma! Luvya- Gary Clymo
MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU NORMA JULIE AND JEFF. I AM SO VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. THINKING OF YOU ALL AND VERY SORRY. HE WAS A GREAT MAN AND IT IS A SHAME TO SEE THIS.
Norma and family,
Please accept my condolences for Joe’s passing. He was a great guy, a caring individual. Having worked with him on the Steuben County Republican Committee and through the assemblyman’s office where I work, Joe could always be counted on for whatever task was at hand. He was kind to his friends and loved his family dearly. I am so sorry for your loss.
Julie,
Our prayers are with you.
I live in California and I just saw that Joe passed and was very saddened by it. He was my mom’s first cousin and such a great and funny guy. I have great memories from our family reunions at Uncle Jack’s farm in Freemont, especially the one when I wouldn’t stop spraying the hose on top of my uncle Jack’s firetruck, and cousin Joe was sent to shut it down. When I saw him coming, I turned the hose on him. When the water hit him, it drenched him and knocked him down. He eventually made it to the truck and shut it off. I jumped off, ran into the cornfield and hid from him the rest of the day. I always remeber how he made all of us kids laugh and he was our favorite. He will be missed by many. I am so sorry for the family’s loss.
Norma and family, I was saddened to have received the news from John Senka on the passing of Joe. I was lucky to have seen him a few years back when I was visiting Arkport when my mother was ill. I have fond memories of Joe specifically when we played soccer at ACS.
Once, Sweet Joe says to me, what if there were no tomorrow? Would you live life the way you did yesterday?