Oh, where do I even start? With heavy hearts, we must talk about the sudden passing of Seamus Daniel Kirby. It was just on April 14, 2024, that he left us, all while the spring was just starting to show its colors in Middletown, RI. His loving wife, Tatum James Wadensten, must now navigate this world without her partner, the love evident in every shared smile and whispered word between them.
Born in the crisp autumn of Newport, RI, on October 14, 1994, Seamus burst into this world with a vibrancy that never dimmed. The son of Jerome R. Kirby III and Kathryn Kimberly Kirby, he came in like—how to say it?—a meteor that refused to ever touch down. His energy, oh, it just filled every room, every space with light and motion.
His childhood was a journey through education at Underwood, Cluny, and Pennfield Schools, culminating in a proud graduation from Rocky Hill Country Day School in 2013. His prowess on the sports field! Seamus was a marvel, really, gathering accolades as easily as he breathed. Captain of the Rocky Hill Boys Varsity Lacrosse team, a relentless spirit on and off the field—his legacy cemented by awards like the Charley Blanchard Relentless Spirit Award.
Motocross—oh, his passion for it! Starting at just ten, by twelve, he was already a champion, claiming the NESC Motocross Championship in the 85cc class. His room, a gallery of trophies, a testament to a life lived at full throttle.
After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Historic Preservation and Community Planning from the College of Charleston in 2017, he didn’t stray far from his roots, returning to the island he so cherished. Working at Kirby Construction, he stood shoulder to shoulder with his dad, Jerry, building not just structures, but a community.
But, oh, Seamus wasn’t just about careers and accolades. His heart? It was as big as the ocean he adored, always open, embracing every friend, stray dog, and stranger with a warmth that was nothing short of miraculous. His life—a tapestry woven with the threads of love for his family, friends, and the endless blue of the sea.
He leaves behind his heartbeats—his wife Tatum, and his little ones, Hendrix Seamus Kirby and Halsten Vaughn Kirby. Not to forget his brother Rome Kirby IV, and a constellation of family members who will feel his absence as a gaping space in their gatherings.
The skies weep for him, as do we all. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held to honor his vibrant spirit on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at St. Mary’s Church in Newport. Instead of flowers, if you feel moved, consider a donation in his memory to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center or the Star Kids Scholarship Program, causes close to his ever-generous heart.
Oh, Seamus, how we wished you had more time. How do we say goodbye to such a spirit? Maybe we don’t. Maybe we just promise to live a little more like him—open, brave, and utterly, beautifully alive. How will you remember him? Maybe just start by living with a bit of his light in your own heart.
For more details, please visit O’Neill-Hayes Funeral Home. How can Legacy Lane ever forget such a soul? We can’t, we just simply can’t.
