Bridget C. Kirk

Bridget Carmel Kirk (nee Griffin) a longtime resident of Oradell, NJ, died on June 16th, 2018 at the age of 82. Bridget is predeceased by her beloved husband, Edward Kirk, and survived by six children; Eamonn Kirk of Little Falls, Stephen Kirk of Westwood, Kevin Kirk of Oak Ridge and his wife Jo Ellen, Brian Kirk of Hohokus, Kathleen Bogue of Emerson and her husband Doug and Regina Kirk of Ridgewood and her husband Pat; four siblings, Michael Griffin of the Bronx, Patrick Griffin of the Bronx, Eileen Walsh of Lisselton, Ireland and Bernadette Sheehan of London, England; grandmother of Sean, Jennifer, Lauren, Brelyn, Brian, Colleen, Nicholas, Bridget, Saoirse and Ailish; great grandchildren, Sophia, Mya and Brynne; predeceased by brothers Leo Griffin and Stephen Griffin. Bridget was born in Rathmore, County Kerry, Ireland on September 16, 1935 to Stephen Griffin and Anne Walsh. She graduated from the Mercy Convent School in Killarney where she developed her easy charm that became her trademark. Shortly after she bravely emigrated to New York City in 1951 at the age of 16, settling in Washington Heights. On April 23rd, 1960, she married Edward Kirk, and started her family in the Bronx and later Teaneck and Oradell. Bridget was a devoted mother and grandmother, an avid Irish dancer and with her husband Edward, a supporter of Irish culture and heritage, most prominently as a member of the Bergen Irish Association and the Kerrymen Association. She was a devoted member and past president of The Legion of Mary and a Eucharistic minister and greeter at St. Joseph’s parish. For many years, the Kirk house in Oradell was host to a succession of young Irish immigrants whose first stop was an extended stay with Breda and Eddie as they gained a foothold in the United States. Here they enjoyed Breda’s famous home cooked meals and comradery that made her everyone’s favorite aunt. Her hospitality was legendary. She and Eddie were entrepreneurs and built their family business, Kirk’s Tire and Auto, from one store in Whitestone, Queens to multiple outlets across northern New Jersey and New York. Their hard work and success allowed them to travel the world. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends and all who knew her for her generosity and good humor. Family and friends are asked to call at the Volk Leber Funeral Home at 268 Kinderkamack Road, Oradell from 2:00 to 4:00; 7:00 to 9:00 on June 20th. The funeral service is scheduled for Thursday, June 21st, 10:30am at St. Joseph’s Church, 300 Elm Street, Oradell, NJ. Interment to follow at Mary Rest Cemetery, Mahwah. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation 4550 Montgomery Ave, Suite 1100 N Bethesda, MD or www.cff.org.

Bridget C. Kirk

June 16, 2018