William Anderson Kirk died Oct. 3 at the age of 77. He passed in peace spending his last days surrounded by visiting family.
To friends, he was known as Bill or Willy. Bill was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, coach, and friend.
Born in Greenwich on Nov. 22, 1940 to Marion Christine Shaw Kirk and William (Andrew) Anderson Kirk the family lived in Connecticut and New Jersey.
William Kirk died Oct. 3. His funeral will be on Nov. 2.
A graduate of St. Paul’s School (class of 1958) and Columbia University (class of 1962), Bill valued education and service to others.
Bill married Martha Brier Bailey at St. Luke’s Parish in Darien, on Aug. 24, 1963. After starting their family in Newport, Rhode Island, they moved to the Upper West Side of Manhattan and then to Brooklyn Heights before returning to Connecticut in 1976.
— An obituary from Edward Lawrence Funeral Home
After attending Naval officer training, Bill returned to school, earning his master’s degree in Business at Columbia University. Bill worked on Wall Street with Morgan Guaranty, First Boston and then Credit Suisse before retiring early to travel, work on his golf game and, later, to care for his wife during her time of need.
Bill was a generous man. He was known for helping friends and family in times of need. He shared a deep interest in genealogy and worked with other family members to uncover more history about his family.
Over the years, Bill was very involved with Leake and Watts Orphanage and Foster Services, a nonprofit organization in New York City. His father had volunteered significant time as clerk/secretary and later provided real estate and legal services. Bill served on the board as treasurer, vice president, and president of the board. He was instrumental in the financial planning required for a new campus.
From the moment he moved to Darien, Bill was involved in youth hockey. He coached both of his sons for a few years, but that seemed to be just a warm up for many years of coaching in Darien and Stamford. He loved the game and was dedicated to those he coached.
Golf was another passion. He loved the game and the greenery; and enjoyed playing with many friends over the years. Bill could often be found landscaping and chopping wood. It has been said he could mow the lawn in the dark. He was handy with a tool and also kept the 1966 Vespa (their first vehicle) running for his wife.
Bill loved the ocean and boating. Bill and Martha enjoyed many trips: boating the eastern seaboard, as well traveling to Europe and Japan. The couple frequently hosted friends out on the Long Island Sound and they were members of the Darien Boat Club and Norwalk Yacht Club. He and his wife were fans of the arts.
He also loved dogs and at one point championed several English cocker spaniels at New England dog shows.
Bill is survived by his sons: Andrew A. Kirk and wife, Yuko, of San Jose, California, and Christopher B. Kirk and wife, Elizabeth, of Barrington, Rhode Island; and his four grandchildren: Kai, Hanna, Tyler and Lily. He is also survived by his sister, Ann Knoop and her husband, Stuart Knoop.
In addition to his family, dear friends throughout the world mourn his passing. Bill was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Bruce Kirk.
Bill would have wanted to thank his friends, all the “good good people”, he would say. Also, he would have thanked all those who helped him more recently. Specifically, the team at Reliable Care in Stamford and Constellation Hospice, without whom his journey would not have been possible.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday Nov. 2 at St. Luke’s Parish, Darien, with the Rev. Susan Wyper presiding.
In lieu of flowers memorial gifts in Bill’s memory can be made to: St. Luke’s Parish, 1864 Post Road, Darien, CT 06820
He will rest at peace in sanctuary the Columbarium at St. Luke’s Parish in Darien Connecticut with his wife, steps away from where they were married.