Donald J. Kirk Sr.

Albany-Donald J. Kirk passed away peacefully on Monday, July 5, at St. Peter’s Rehabilitation Center in Albany at the age of 92. Don was born in Albany and was the son of the late John and Rose Huberty Kirk. Don loved spending time with his family but his greatest love was for his late wife, Katherine Rose Simon. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in April 2019 before she passed in June of that same year. Don worked as a mail carrier for the U.S. Pine Hills Post Office and later went on to proudly serve as a supervisor before retiring 34 years ago. Don also served his community throughout his life. He was an usher at Our Lady of Mercy Church until the parish closed. Don was also a life member of the Fuller Road Firehouse. He loved directing traffic and responding to fires even as he grew older. Lastly, one of his most rewarding jobs was helping his family. Whether Don was driving them to the airport at 3:00 a.m., helping put up a basketball hoop or installing a fence, it did not matter what they needed help with, he was always there for his family. Don is survived by his son, Donald J. Kirk, Jr., and his daughter, Joanne Buckley (Michael); grandchildren Melissa MacLaughlin (Thomas), Katie Bender (Patrick), Kristin Mathews (Scott), Sara Buckley (John) and Chad Buckley; great grandchildren Thomas, Kate and Olivia MacLaughlin, Anna and Ryan Bender and step-great granddaughter Raina Mathews; brother-in-law Nunzio Hughes and many nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by his daughter, Kathie Kirk Patrizio; his grandson, Jonathan D. Kirk; and his brother, Jack, and sister, Mary O’Brien. A special thank you to Nunzio Hughes and Jack Alvaro for visiting dad weekly for many years. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Don’s family Thursday, July 8, 2021 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the McVeigh Funeral Home, 208 North Allen Street, Albany, NY 12206. Please only enter the funeral home from the rear parking lot doorway; unvaccinated individuals must wear a mask and practice social distancing. Funeral services Friday, July 9, 2021 at 11:00 am at Christ the King Church, Westmere, NY where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated. The Funeral Mass will be streamed at www.ctkparishny.org The Rite of Committal will be held at Our Lady of Angels Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Donald in a special way may send contributions to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, 26 Broadway, 14th Floor, NY, NY 10004, in memory of Kathie Kirk Patrizio, or to the Jonathan D. Kirk Foundation at the Community Foundation, 2 Tower Place, Albany, NY 12203. To leave a message for the family please visit www.McveighFuneralHome.com

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Donald J. Kirk Sr.

January 31, 1929 - July 5, 2021