Michael Kirby

Who was Michael Kirby?

Michael J.R. Kirby was a Canadian figure skater who competed in men's singles. He won the gold medal at the Canadian Figure Skating Championships in 1942 before turning professional and joining the Ice Follies in 1943. He also competed in fours with Therese McCarthy, Virginia Wilson, and Donald Gilchrist and won the silver medal at the 1941 North American Championships.

In the later 1940s, Kirby moved to California and appeared in several movies with Sonja Henie including The Countess of Monte Cristo. He later relocated to Chicago and established a chain of instructional ice skating rinks. As a coach, his pupils included Ronnie Robertson and Dick Button.

Kirby married figure skater Norah McCarthy in 1944. Their marriage produced eight children and lasted 57 years, until his death in 2002.