Edgar G. Kilby

Edgar Goddard Kilby, 97, of Southington, CT, and formerly of Las Vegas, NV, and Tucson, AZ, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at Masonicare in Wallingford. He was the loving husband of Erlinda (Campomanes) Kilby and the late Peggy Jane Kilby, with whom he shared more than 60 years of devoted marriage.

Born on October 20, 1927, in Peoria, IL, Ed grew up in Washington, IL, with his sister Paula. He had a passion for horses and music from a young age, and later became a standout basketball player, leading his high school team to the state finals. He played for the University of Wisconsin before transferring to Texas A&I, where he met Peggy, his sister’s best friend. They married shortly after and raised three children together during Ed’s distinguished 20-year military career.

Ed served in both the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. He was stationed around the US, Germany, and Turkey, and earned a master’s degree in Hospital Administration from Washington University in St. Louis.

After retiring from the military, Ed became the CEO of Masonicare, where he helped greatly expand the hospital and its elder care services and was recognized for major projects such as the development of Ashlar Village. He also served as national president of the American Association of Hospital Administrators, honored as a LeadingAge award winner, and a mason.

After retiring to Arizona, Ed remained active in the community through his work in elder care, and volunteer work with the Sheriff’s Posse, a horseback search and rescue team. He was a private pilot, a ham radio enthusiast, and a devoted Christian who loved traveling, playing piano, and spending time with his family. He traveled to over 80 countries, including far flung locations like Afghanistan and Syria.

Following Peggy’s passing in 2012, Ed found companionship again with Linda, with whom he shared 13 years of love and care. In his later years, he returned to Connecticut and was lovingly supported by Linda and the Rauch family.

Ed is survived by his beloved wife Linda; his daughters, Kathleen Leonard and Ann Kilby; his grandson, Mitchell Edgar Kilby; son-in-law Gary Leonard; Son and Daughter-in-Law Rod and Tiffany Rauch; grandson Logan and Drew Rauch; and Jenny Yu-Mattson, whom he considered a granddaughter and brother-in-law, Stanley Perkins.  He was predeceased by his beloved wife Peggy Jane.

A funeral service will be held at 12 noon on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at the Plantsville Funeral Home, 975 S. Main St., Plantsville. Calling hours will precede the service from 11 a.m. to 12 noon. Burial with military honors will follow at the State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown, CT.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ed’s memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, (www.woundedwarriorproject.org/), the Mayo Clinic,  (www. mayoclinic.org/) or to the Peggy J. Perkins Kilby WHIP Scholarship Endowment at Hillsdale College at (517) 607-2350.