Richard “Dick” Keirsbilck
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Rochester: Passed away peacefully, Monday, April 13, 2026 at the age of 98. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 66 years, Polly, in 2013, his son, Rick, in January of this year and great-grandchild Will Katawazi in 2014. He is survived by 5 children: Wendy (Garry) Hutchurson, Barbara Bennett, Mary Ellen (Richard) Bennett, Patti (Chuck) Sawyer, and John (Melinda) Keirsbilck, 17 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Richard was a WWII Navy Veteran. He owned and operated a small neighborhood grocery store and butcher shop from 1956 to 1980. After closing the store, he worked for the Monroe County Department of Weights and Measures for 10 years. Together with his wife, Polly, he volunteered for many years with Meals on Wheels, Rochester Area Multiple Sclerosis (RAMS), Catholic Family Center’s STAR Program, and Camp Good Days & Special Times, among others.
Richard’s visitation will be held Thursday (April 23rd) 4–7 PM at Vay-Schleich and Meeson Funeral Home, 1075 Long Pond Road. His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday (April 24th) 11:30 AM at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 3003 Dewey Ave. Interment, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 2461 Lake Ave.
In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial gift to UR Medicine Home Care by visiting https://giveto.urmc.edu/homecare or by mail to: UR Medicine Home Care Foundation, Box 270032, Rochester, NY 14627-0032.
I got to know Dick when we, with other guys, counted on Mondays, what I call “God’s Money”. All of us had a wonderful relationship being together Monday mornings. Dick had a great personality; a gentle soul of a man. I once asked him if he ever thought of marring again – he promptly replied, “No one had a better wife than my wife!” What a wonderful reply. Of the many funny comments he made my favorite one was, referring to his butcher shop – “we trim the meats, not the customer.” I’ll miss this beautiful man.
I grew up living two houses down from the Keirsbilcks, and Mary Ellen has been my dear friend and “sister” of more than 68 years. I have so many wonderful memories of time spent at their home with the whole family. Dick and Polly were always warm and welcoming, and I felt like a member of the family when I was there. My Mom and I were in “Dick’s store” probably every day during those years, and I can still see Dick standing behind the counter with a smile waiting patiently for me to spend my nickel on candy or gumballs while my Mom bought his delicious sausages or other items.
Rick and I send our love and condolences to your whole family. Your Dad and Grandpa was a truly a special man who will be missed by many.
The first time I met Grandpa K, or “White-Haired Grandpa as my boys would grow to call him, was at one of your Keirsbilck family picnics. Kimberlee and I had only been dating for a brief time and coming from a family that is dwarfed in comparison to the size of yours, you can probably imagine how intimidating it already was for me as the “new boyfriend”. I was literally in awe not only of the sheer numbers, but of how far many of them had traveled to come together. On my side, we couldn’t get the dozen or so of us to all come together on Thanksgiving, much less an additional non-holiday gathering. And it didn’t take long for me to figure out that it really centered all around one individual. Grandpa K, for me, was at first a rather imposing figure, though not in any threatening kind of manner. He exuded an aura of almost nobility about him that commanded respect. He made it a point to speak with me. He was polite and welcoming of this “outsider” to whom dared call upon his Granddaughter Princess. It was obvious that “family” was placed upon his highest of mantles.
He asked about my studies, my family, my likes and my future plans. Obviously, it was a calculated but exploratory interrogation. His speech was almost formal, but good-natured. Though he did make a veiled threat about the importance he placed upon his granddaughter’s continued happiness. One that was subtle but definitely not to be ignored. I liked him instantly. It was impossible not to. I made sure anytime I met him that my handshake was firm, I made eye contact, and my answers to his queries were polite and respectful. Never “yeah” or a nod. Always, “Yes, Sir” and “No Sir”. Even more than Kimberlee’s dad, I wanted to earn the respect of Grandpa K. And though I asked Kimberlee to marry me first, I did, thereafter, ask for the permission/blessing of both her dad AND of Grandpa K. I am not sure what I would have done had either of them said, “no”. Luckily, I didn’t have to find out.
In truth, I am envious of what you all have. You see, most of my family ties disintegrated before I ever reached adulthood. I have very little left on my side that has survived and what little remains have very loose ties that aren’t as close as they really should be. Grandpa K’s continuing legacy is, and always will be, all of you. I cannot express to you how truly blessed all of you are to have been instilled with the family values he cultivated that have kept you all together through all of the years and all of the miles. He would love that you are all here together today. Well, maybe not for the reason you are all gathered together today, but he would be happy non-the-less.
Thinking about all of you, I know that when my time comes, if just half of the love and respect is shown for me as it is for Grandpa K, i’ll have done pretty good for myself.
There is an old Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) belief that a person is not born with a soul. It is acquired through the interactions you have with every single person you come in contact with throughout your life. In those interactions, you share a piece of yourself with each other and all of those pieces you have gathered come together to make up your own soul. In regards to Grandpa K, I think that I got the best of that exchange.
A Wise, Warm, Gentle, Kind & Loving Neighbor.
His Optimism Always Brightened My Days When We Spoke.
It Truly Was My Great Honor To Have Known Him.
May You Rest Peacefully Richard