KENT, Conn.— Richard Warren Kimberley, 77, of Front Royal, Va., passed away Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, at his home.
Rich was born Feb. 19, 1947, in Torrington, Conn., to the late Warren and Joyce Kimberley. He was married for 55 years to his beloved wife, Merry J. “Elle” Kimberley until her passing in 2022.
Rich grew up in Harwinton, Conn., and graduated from Northwestern High School in 1965, then received an associate’s degree from Waterbury State Technical Institute.
After serving in the U.S. Army 2nd Armored Division, Rich was a longtime resident of Kent, Conn., where he was a dedicated member of the Kent Volunteer Fire Department and served as an EMT for the ambulance squad.
He and Elle later moved to Pinellas Park, Fla., where he volunteered at the Bay Pines VA Hospital in St. Petersburg, mostly working with veterans in the hospice program.
In 2021, they moved to Front Royal, where he was actively involved with Giles B. Cook American Legion Post 53.
In his final years, Rich was grateful for the kindness and camaraderie of his new friends at the American Legion. He was also a Scottish Rite Mason and a Shriner.
Rich is survived by his son, Ryan Kimberley, and his wife, Tracy, of Front Royal, Va.; his daughter, Toryn Kimberley Stewart, and her husband, Frank, of Hendersonville, NC; a grandson, Jesse Kimberley; a sister, Sandra Kimberley Knobloch, of Connecticut; a brother, Wayne Kimberley, of Connecticut; and many nieces and nephews.
As he was a lifelong blood donor, friends are encouraged to donate blood to the American Red Cross in his honor.
Monetary donations may be made to the American Legion Post 153, c/o Andrew Ocif, adjutant, 144 Upper Kent Hollow Road, Kent, CT 06757, or to the Kent Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 355, Kent, CT 06757.
