By Nick Buglione
It was hardly a king's ransom even by 1964 standards, but it didn't matter. Kirby poured his heart and soul into that park anyway.
And now a little piece of his soul will always remain there.
Last Saturday, a seven-foot blue spruce tree was planted in Kirby's honor at the East Meadow town square, the new community meeting place inside Veterans Memorial Park.
Kirby succumbed to lung cancer Aug. 3. He was 63 years old.
"I couldn't think of a better tribute for him there," said East Meadow resident Maryanne Maciura, Kirby's niece. "He was the best. When my dad passed away nine years ago, he just picked up the ball."
It was Maciura who came up with the idea of planting a memorial tree in her late uncle's honor.
She happened to be in the park the day workers were uprooting the last evergreen tree planted in the town square that had died.
Since opening the meeting place, the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce and the Council of East Meadow Community Organizations have tried to grow an evergreen for annual winter holiday-lighting ceremonies.
Up until now, they've been 0-for-2. Two trees have been planted, and both have died. So, when Maciura asked chamber officials if her family could purchase a new tree and dedicate it in her uncle's honor, they jumped at the idea.
"I figured this was a home run for the chamber," said James Skinner, a past president of the chamber and neighbor of Maciura's. "It's a win-win all around."
Kirby's tree is almost certain to take root. Since his death, the family had an eerie stroke of luck that seems to imply Kirby is indeed looking over his loved ones, said his wife of 40 years, Susan.
She noted that a memorial tree is a wonderful way to honor her husband, who toiled in Hempstead Town parks for over 30 years, rising through the ranks and peaking as a maintenance supervisor. He spent a number of years at Newbridge Park in Bellmore.
"My husband was a very dedicated worker, and he never really ever got recognition from the Town of Hempstead," Susan said. "He was a very fair boss and he would help anybody. He was the type of supervisor who would go out there and get dirty."
Kirby, who grew up in East Meadow but raised his family in Merrick, is survived by his four children and seven grandchildren.
East Meadow Chamber of Commerce President Alan Hodish said the Kirby family will take part in the town square holiday-lighting ceremony in December, when the tree is formally unveiled.
