Kilby, Gordon M.

LATHAM — Gordon M. Kilby, 90, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, at Kingsway Arms in Schenectady.

Born in Albany, he was the son of the late James and Grace (Clum) Kilby. Gordon was raised and educated in Albany where he graduated from Milne High School and would later go on to earn his bachelor’s degree from R.P.I. in civil engineering, where he was also a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity. Upon his graduation, he was thrust into the role of C.E.O. and chairman of Kilby Brothers, Inc. after the sudden passing of his father and uncle in 1954. He would remain as C.E.O of Kilby Brothers for 42 years, until his retirement in 1996. During his excavation career he worked on such projects as: the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, built the luge and bobsled runs for the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, and did the excavation for Colonie Center and Stuyvesant Plaza. Gordon had been a director and president of the Eastern Contractors Association and served as chairman of the Operating Engineer negotiating Committee for more than 30 years.

Gordon enjoyed the arts, in particular singing. He sang with Emmanuel Baptist Church, R.P.I. Glee Club and The Mendelssohn Club of Albany, which he served as director and past president of this 70 man choir. Gordon had been a member of the Calvary United Methodist Church since 1960. There he has served as chairman of the Board of Trustees, Finance Commission and the Administrative Board. He loved to sing in four-part harmony anytime and sang in the Calvary Choir for 44 years, participating in several solos and duets through the years. Gordon also served on the Board of Trustees for Pioneer Bank for over three decades, twice doing terms as its chairman.

Gordon loved to spend time at the family farm in Marlboro, Vt., where he would mow hay, split firewood and always remark how wonderful it was when they could still swim on Columbus Day weekend. He also loved his family vacations to Wells, Maine where he always said he and his wife Judy would be the oldest people riding the waves.

Gordon is survived by his wife of 65 years, Julia

"Judy" Harrington Kilby, whom he married on June

16, 1956; his children, Cynthia (Jamie) Vanhoutepurpura, Elizabeth "Betsy" (Mike) Lane and James (Cathy) Kilby; his sister, Elizabeth "Betty" (the late