Dean C. Kirk

Mr. Dean C. Kirk, age 80, formerly of Marcy, NY, and more recently of Raleigh, NC, passed away on Tuesday, September 5, 2006, with the love and support of his family by his side. Born in Utica on May 20, 1926, Dean was the son of the late Joseph and Agnes (Johnson) Kirk. He was raised and educated in Utica. A veteran of World War II, he served with the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theater of Operations. On June 23, 1956, he married the former Carol Gaetano. They shared a life of sincere affection and mutual dignity for 50 years. They were best friends. Mr. Kirk’s working life generated positions with several companies, including General Electric at the Kent St. location, Univac, Utica Drop Forge, and ICL, from which he retired. He was a proud member of the Sons of Italy Lodge, and the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge. In his leisure time, Dean was a zealous reader. He took pleasure in decorating his home parish during holiday celebrations, and once produced a local musical, “Happy Days”, to benefit his parish church, Blessed Sacrament. He had a manner of charming people with his humor, and it was evident that he enjoyed life and invited others to appreciate it, too. He took obstacles in stride and promoted a positive outlook. An avid outdoorsman, he was a passionate hunter and fisherman. He also skied and swam, activities he shared with his children. The consummate family man, Dean and Carol relocated to Raleigh, NC in 1998 to be in proximity to their children. His family took priority in his life, and he fulfilled his primary goal by sharing these precious years with his children and grandchildren. Dean is survived by his beloved wife, Carol; his daughters and son-in-law, Sharon and William Carroll, and Deborah and Michael DiPierro, all of Raleigh, NC; his sons and daughters-in-law, Stephen and Lynn Kirk of Greenville, NC, and Brian and Paige Kirk of Zebulon, NC; his grandchildren, Michael and Matthew DiPierro, Joshua Kirk, Morgan, and Madison Kirk. In addition, he leaves several aunts, and numerous cousins, with special mention of Joan Fuller, Agnes and Gary Koster, Dr. Ray and Marsha Alcuri, Joe and Marie Guarnieri, and Patricia Guarnieri. Dean was blessed with many friendships, with remembrance of Ron and Shirley Fiaschetti. He was predeceased by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Phillip and Mary A. (Scalise) Gaetano. Visitation will be held on Thursday and Dean’s Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, in Raleigh, North Carolina. Arrangements are under the direction of the Mitchell Funeral Home, NC (www.MitchellFunerals.com). For those wishing to do so, please consider memorial donations in Dean’s memory to the H.H.T. (Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia) Foundation International, Inc., P.O. Box 329, Monkton, Maryland 21111. Local acts of kindness and sympathy may be directed to Dean’s online memorial at www.EannaceFuneralHome.com

Dean C. Kirk

May 20, 1926 - September 5, 2006