Joseph Patrick Kirley

Joseph Patrick Kirley, a devoted husband, father, grandfather and revered attorney, passed away peacefully at the age of 90 on October 24, 2024.

Known for his passionate love of baseball and unwavering loyalty to the New York Yankees, Joe grew up in Washington Heights, New York. The son of late Elizabeth and Patrick Kirley, an Irish American NYPD Officer who rose to become Chief of Police in the Bronx. Thanks to his father's position Joe had the remarkable opportunity to attend many Yankee Games and even met the legendary Babe Ruth.

Joe graduated from Regis High School in 1952, then pursued a calling in the Catholic Priesthood at St. Andrews Jesuit Seminary in Hyde Park, NY. After two years, he chose a different path and enrolled at Fordham University, where he majored in history, graduating in 1958. During his Junior Year, Joe met Margaret Ann Kenny, the love of his life. They were married four years later at St Joan of Arc in Jackson Heights, Queens, NY beginning a lifelong partnership marked by deep love and devotion. Following his undergraduate studies, Joe enrolled in Fordham Law School, earning his law degree in 1961 and passing the New York Bar exam on his first attempt. His dedication to public service led him to join the Army in 1961 as a second Lieutenant through the ROTC program. Serving as a Military Police Officer, he was honorably discharged two years later as a first Lieutenant.

After returning to civilian life, Joe launched a successful law practice, specializing in personal injury, worker's compensation, and real estate. For over 60 years Joe practiced law in the city of White Plains- known as "a lawyer of the people", Joe had a reputation for helping clients during their darkest times, often finding justice for those with little hope. His compassion and dedication left a lasting impact on those he served.

Joseph Patrick Kirley's life was defined by his faith, family and service to others. He will be remembered for his kindness, integrity and unwavering loyalty to his loved ones and the causes he believed in. He leaves behind a legacy of love, dedication and compassion that will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

Joe is survived by his beloved wife, Margaret Kirley; his daughter, Theresa Neumann and son-in-law Curtis Neumann; his cherished grandchildren, Eva Margaret Neumann and Matthew Joseph Neumann; and his sons, Patrick Joseph Kirley and Thomas John Kirley; and his sister, Patricia Moran; and his dear cousins, Fr. Jim Quigley and Ellen Quigley; and his many nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by his son, Joseph Patrick Kirley and daughter-in-Law, Nora Kirley and his sister Elizabeth MacMurray and his brother-in-Law Joseph Moran.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate in Joseph's name, to the American Diabetes Association: https://diabetes.org/