John A. Kirby, 69, of Northbrook, the longtime president and owner of the Chicago Progressive Mercantile Exchange, a century-old supply company for the garment industry, died of complications from pneumonia Sunday, Nov. 10, in Highland Park Hospital. Born in Omaha and raised in Bettendorf, Iowa, Mr. Kirby attended Purdue University where he studied agriculture. After graduating in 1955, Mr. Kirby joined the Air Force, serving as a flight navigator and rising to the rank of captain. After leaving the service in the late 1950s, Mr. Kirby joined J.C. Penney Co., where he learned about the garment industry. During his 25 years with J.C. Penney, Mr. Kirby was named district manager of the Chicago region and moved his family to the area in 1966. In the early 1980s, he struck out on his own, purchasing Chicago Progressive, a firm founded in 1902 to supply buttons, hooks and eyes, and other hardware for garments. Though semi-retired recently, Mr. Kirby continued to operate his business until his death. A master gardener, he never forgot his early interest in agriculture and the natural world. He volunteered one day a week at the Chicago Botanic Garden, answering questions of hobbyist gardeners. Mr. Kirby is survived by his wife of 46 years, Cornelia; his daughter, Anne Marie Gerhardt; two sons, Bill and John; and three grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday in the Northbrook United Methodist Church, 1190 Western Ave., Northbrook.
