Ashfield, MA – Warren Kirkpatrick, 80, passed away peacefully on June 6, 2026 in his home surrounded by loved ones. Born to Charles Phillips and Mildred (Mac Manis) Hull. He was a caring husband, beloved father, grandfather, brother, friend to all and his presence will be greatly missed.
Warren led a life in selfless service for others, often putting their needs before his own. As a scout Air Explorer from a very young age, he continued his love and sense of duty for his community and country when he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard after graduating high school. From August 1965 to July 1969 he served in the United States Navy as a Gunner’s Mate GM2EF aboard the U.S.C.G.C Yakutat. His 6 tours in Vietnam were spent patrolling the rivers and the coasts of Vietnam. Not only did he share his knowledge with countless recruits coming to Vietnam for the first time, but he was also granted a naval commendation medal for acts of bravery and quick thinking that saved the lives of his fellow crew members. In his professional life he served the public first as Deputy Sheriff at the Franklin County House of Corrections and as a Captain and then Chief of the Ashfield Police Dept. He continued to serve Ashfield when he accepted a position as a member of the Ashfield Highway Dept. For 43 years he held the position of Ashfield Animal Control Officer earning awards and certifications from the state. Warren was the epitome of a hard worker and often held down two jobs at time
As a 64 year resident of Ashfield Warren’s commitment to community never wavered. After the war and up until the present he volunteered his time alternating as EMT, Fire Department crew, deputy tax collector, town constable, and as a commander in the American Legion post 245. He liked to spend his free time at Otis Lake fishing with his wife, and he could be found cheering his daughter and granddaughter on at their softball games, or skeet shooting with his son and childhood friend, Walter. Warren was always the first to help. An all-around handyman, he had creative solutions to seemingly every problem. He stood by his children through many life changes, and household moves; once driving a young teenaged stepdaughter to Wisconsin to help her get settled into a new life. During these many moves he often took the position of “the man in charge” orchestrating the perfect move. Always up for a family celebration he could often be found behind the grill cooking food for all to enjoy. He thoroughly enjoyed life, family, and being in the middle of all of the action. He treated others with respect and a sense of fairness and has left an unfillable void to us all.
Warren is survived by his wife Betty Lesure, son Todd (Cathy Kirkpatrick), daughter Heather (Kirkpatrick) Davis, stepdaughters Christine (Lesure) Marten & Dianne (Lesure) Potochniak, sister Karin Kirkpatrick, Grandchildren Samantha, Meghan, Anna, Dylan, Jordan, and Alex, and countless amounts of friends from all over the region and beyond. Warren is predeceased by his parents and brother Scott Kirkpatrick.
A funeral service for Warren will be held at the Ashfield Congregational Church 429 Main St Ashfield, Ma on June 20, 2026 at 2:00pm. The family invites all who knew him to attend. Graveside burial at Plain Cemetery in Ashfield will commence directly after the service followed by a reception at the friendship hall of the First Congregational church. All are welcome to partake, share and/or listen to stories of favorite memories of Warren.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Hilltown Churches Food Pantry, or the Franklin County Sheriff’s Regional Dog Shelter.
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