Steven Richard Kilby of Milford, Pa., passed away on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019. He was 48.
Son of the late James Andrew Kilby and Anne Marie Kilby, he was born on Aug. 30, 1970.
Steven was born hard of hearing with cerebral palsy and was a true inspiration to everybody who knew him. He was faced with such difficult obstacles in his life and he always continued to fight with the heart of a lion.
He was a Dallas Cowboys fan and held on to his conviction in a house full of NY Giants fans. Not an easy thing to do, but Steven's path was not an easy one. All his four brothers took on their journeys with the knowledge that no matter how bad things got, it was never as bad as what Steven had to endure day in and day out.
He loved playing sports, enjoyed board games and talking to pretty girls. In his teenage years he helped his mom out at the Children’s school in Vernon, N.J., every summer. Everyone loved Steve.
He went to Midland Park High School, where he participated on the soccer team. Following his brother David’s footsteps he played the position of goalie. He loved those days. When Steven was 16 he was hit by a car crossing the street by the A&P supermarket in Vernon. It began a journey of fighting back that lasted for many years. He was bedridden and under daily house care from nurses. They all loved Steve. After years of therapy he was able to fight his way out of that bed into a wheelchair, where he spent the rest of his life.
His brother Chuck looked after Steven in his later years. They went to the movies, ball games, etc. Steven loved Chuck and his family. Steve lived in a house with 24-hour care in Milford, Pa.
Steven loved his brothers and always enjoyed hearing from his twin brother, Robert. Robert always took the time to shower him with gifts and make sure his brother was being treated with the utmost care. They were born only minutes apart from each other. His brother David was so inspired by Steven he became the president of a Cerebral Palsy foundation called the Ability Center in Virginia.
Steven will always be remembered as a fighter. He took the cards he was dealt and played the game like a champion.
He will be buried next to his mom and dad in the Glenwood graveyard. God waits for Steven. He will always be remembered and missed.
He is survived by his four brothers. Jim Kilby Jr., Chuck Kilby, David Kilby, and his twin brother, Robert Kilby.
Visitation was held on Sept. 9 at the Ferguson-Vernon Funeral Home in Vernon, N.J. The family gathered at the funeral home on Sept. 10 for a Mass of Christian Burial service at St. Francis de Sales Church 614 Rt. 517, Vernon, with committal services at the Glenwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to may be made to the Ability Center in Virginia (abilitycenterva.org) or any local Cerebral Palsy Foundation.