The Reverend Eugene Michael Kilbride, 82, died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, March 17 at the priest house of St. Helena. Father Kilbride was born, January 8, 1934 in the Washington Hill section of Waterbury, CT. He was the youngest child of Michael J. and Helen (Madden) Kilbride. His father came to this country from Ireland and served as a Waterbury Fireman. Father Kilbride graduated from St. Francis Xavier Grammar School and Sacred Heart High School both in Waterbury. He attended St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, for two years and finished his studies at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton, New York, where he studied philosophy and theology in preparation for priesthood. He was the first priest from St. Francis Xavier Parish in Waterbury to be ordained. Archbishop Henry J. O’Brien granted the church the honor of celebrating his ordination at St. Francis Xavier Church on January 6, 1959. He served in parishes across the state but found his “home” at St. Helena’s in West Hartford where he served for 40 years. He also served in the parishes of St. Gertrude in Wilson, Blessed Martin de Porres in New Haven, St. Brigid in Elmwood, and St. Francis of Assisi in South Windsor. He retired in 2008 from St. Helena’s and lived and served as senior priest until his death. This past January, Father Kilbride celebrated his 57th anniversary of his ordination. He was well liked by many and known for being a good listener and seeking the life story of a deceased loved one or a married couple and weaving their story as part of his homily. He was predeceased by his two sisters, Marie Shurkus, (husband John) and Claire Davis, (husband Edwin). He leaves many nephews, nieces and great-nieces and great-nephews to honor his memory, along with his dear friend Ellen Guertin; family members: Michael Shurkus, Ellen Beecher with husband Kevin, Marie Shurkus, Dan Shurkus with wife Elizabeth, Martha Chouinard with husband Armand, Edwin Davis, Madeline Healy with husband Tommy, Robert Davis with wife Lorraine, Thomas Davis with wife Colleen, followed by many great-nieces and great-nephews: Amanda Nemense, husband Victor with children Joey and Ava, Hannah Chouinard, Steven Davis with wife Lisa and daughter Gemma, Kevin Davis with wife Liz, Robert Davis with wife Adina and daughters Mataya and Athena, Michael Davis with wife Karin, Athena(Healy) McLaughlin with husband Ian, Richard Healy with wife Julie, Michael Healy with wife Susie, and Kathy (Healy) Cote with husband Matt. Father Kilbride will lie in state from 2 to 5 pm Sunday, (March 20) at St. Helena Church, 30 Echo Lane, West Hartford. A Mass of Christian Burial for Fr. Kilbride will be Monday, (March 21) at 11:00 am at St. Helena Church in West Hartford. Archbishop Leonard P. Blair will be the principle celebrant. Burial will be in St Joseph’s Cemetery in Waterbury. Today we pray that the Lord will welcome home his faithful servant, Fr. Eugene Kilbride, into his kingdom of new life and reward him for his many years of caring ministry to God’s people. In lieu of flowers, contributions made be made in his memory to St Helena’s Church, 30 Echo Lane, West Hartford, CT. 06107.