Dr. John W. Kirkland Jr.

Dr. John W. Kirkland, 80, a beloved physician who spent decades caring for patients, died on July 16. He is the son of the late John and Elspeth Kirkland.

John was born in Northampton, MA. He lived in a variety of places, reflecting his father’s employment, ranging from Silver Spring, MD and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to Stowe, VT, and Wellesley, MA. He attended Northfield Mount Hermon School and graduated from the University of Rochester in NY. John earned his medical degree from Albany Medical College in 1973, going on to complete his residency at Bridgeport Hospital, where he was board certified in pediatrics and internal medicine. John spent over 50 years caring for patients out of his own practice in Stratford and at Bridgeport Hospital, where he met the love of his life, Gloria, and the two built a life and family together. After retiring, he applied his lifetime of experience by volunteering at Americares, giving free healthcare to the uninsured.

Beyond medicine, John was a man of wide-ranging passions. He was an expert skier who taught generations of family and friends how to ski at Mount Snow. He loved traveling the world, going on camping trips, and spending time in Vermont. He had an interest in marine biology, was a scuba diver, and spent many summers at the beach body surfing in Block Island, Martha’s Vineyard, and Cape Cod. An All-American swimmer in college, John carried his love of the water with him, continuing to swim at the YMCA for the remainder of his life. He had a deep love of poetry, and could recite countless poems from memory whenever asked, delighting anyone lucky enough to be in earshot. He enjoyed classical music and bird watching and was a lover of all cuisines, becoming a master at paella. John was very funny, always ready with a joke, and had a gift for making the people around him laugh. Above all, he cherished his friends, family, and patients, and hosted unforgettable holiday parties.

John was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren, who brought him immense joy. John is survived by his wife, Gloria; his children, John (Christine), Jennifer (Alan), and Michael (Alyssa); his seven grandchildren: Ella, Olivia, Alex, Owen, Fiona, Koralynn, and Isla; his sister, Lisa; his in-laws Eduardo, Nelly, Nelson, and Julio; and multiple nieces and nephews.

He will be deeply missed by all who knew him, and remembered for his warmth, generosity, wisdom, and the countless lives he touched over a lifetime of service.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Massachusetts Audubon Society, 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA, 01773, Attention: Development department. Please include: “in memory of Dr. John Kirkland” on the memo line.