Christopher Kirwan

December 18, 1934 — March 19, 2021

Christopher Kirwan, age 86, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 19, 2021 at the Ellis Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Norwood, Massachusetts. Born in Boston, Massachusetts on December 18, 1934, he was the son of the late Jeremiah and Catherine (McDonald) Kirwan. He was raised in Dorchester and attended Roxbury Memorial High School, where he was a standout athlete on the football field and basketball court prior to his graduation in 1952. Following his graduation, Chris took a position in a sheet metal factory and later began working as a machinist with B.F. Goodrich in Brighton. In addition, he and his father operated a small wallpapering company, Kirwan and Kirwan.

Chris married his beloved wife, Rita A. Gordon, on September 7, 1957 in Saint Patrick's Church in Roxbury. Together they made their home in Dedham, Massachusetts, where they welcomed two sons, Michael and Christopher, Jr. As his family grew, Chris sought out employment at the Barnstead Still and Sterilizer Company in Roxbury, where he took on the role of an electroplater. He remained with the company until their closure in 1984. After twenty years working as an electroplater, Chris retired in 1991 and two years later, he and Rita settled in the small town of Walpole, Massachusetts.

Throughout his life, Chris' faith remained strong. He was a longtime member of Saint Susanna’s Church in Dedham and was an active member of his church's Knights of Columbus Council 234 and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Once he was settled in Walpole, he joined the parish of Blessed Sacrament, where he found his spiritual home at the daily Masses.

Chris was a passionate sports fan, who had a true love for the game of basketball. He served as a coach for many years for Saint Patrick's CYO Program in Roxbury and later took on the coaching position at Saint Catherine of Siena's CYO Program in Norwood, where he led his team to a championship victory. While his weekends were usually busy between raising his sons, his church life, and his coaching positions, Chris always made a little bit of time to host yard sales in his backyard. Most of all, Chris was a dedicated family man, who treasured the moments he spent surrounded by those he loved. He was absolutely delighted at the birth of his grandchildren, taking any opportunity to spend time with the three of them.

Beloved husband of Rita A. (Gordon) Kirwan.

Loving father of Michael Kirwan and his wife, Donna, of Rumford, Rhode Island and Christopher J. Kirwan Jr. and his wife, Nicole, of Braintree.

Cherished grandfather of James M. Kirwan, Allison M. Kirwan, and Michael C. Kirwan.

Brother of the late Anna Kelly and the late Marjorie Clancy.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Chris' Life Celebration on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 from 4 to 7 PM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Blessed Sacrament Church, 10 Diamond Street, Walpole on Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 10:30 AM. Interment will follow in Saint Joseph's Cemetery in West Roxbury. Memorial donations may be made to one's favorite charity in Chris' name.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Christopher Kirwan, please visit our flower store.

Send a Card

Christopher Kirwan

December 18, 1934 — March 19, 2021

Guestbook