Charles Kirk

Charles (Charlie) Kirk, age 71, died Sunday, October 31, 2021 at the Hunterdon Medical Center in Raritan Township NJ.

Born April 17, 1950, in Phillipsburg NJ, Charlie was the son of the late Wilbert and Theresa (Madonna) Kirk. He lived in Hunterdon County his entire life.

Charlie served for six years in the Army National Guard of NJ and as a Reserve of the Army with the Armor Division attaining level of Staff Sergeant E6.

After a first date at the Flemington Speedway racecar track and a courtship that followed, Charlie married the love of his life, Lucia Tufo, in November of 1974. Earlier that year, after leaving a position with Elizabethtown Gas Co., Charlie bought his first backhoe and began the C. Kirk Excavating & Paving Company which he operated for over 35 years in the Hunterdon County area.

While operating the excavating and paving company, Charlie became involved in Land Improvement Contractors of America (“LICA”), serving the organization on a National and State level. He became the NJ Chapter’s President and Treasurer for many years, and then was a Regional Vice President for the National group. It was while serving in this position that he and Lucia traveled to many LICA functions throughout the United States, meeting many wonderful people that became lifelong friends along the way. His dedicated leadership with LICA led to an educational scholarship in Charlie’s name that was formed to help expand and promote safety regulations for the industry and ideas surrounding soil conservation.

Charlie was an avid sprint car fan and was a frequent visitor to the former Flemington Speedway and various tracks primarily in Pennsylvania. He loved being around the cars and drivers, often lending a hand to a team in need, especially the Howie Cronce Racing Team.

Late in his career, Charlie became an instructor for the Burlington County Institute of Technology, teaching prison inmates the skills to eventually become heavy equipment operators upon their release. Most recently, Charlie worked for the NJ Department of Transportation.

One of Charlie’s favorite expressions was, “water is going to always run downhill,” and his many humorous stories were shared with his friends that frequented the Flemington Coffee Shop and the Italian Peoples Bakery.

Charlie was a snowmobile enthusiast. Many of his most special times included snowmobiling with his family and friends at his cabin on the Tug Hill Plateau in upstate New York. Often, despite many weather challenges and distance, his ability to navigate consistently to his intended destination, without the aid of any electronics or GPS, was legendary – and he was known as the original “Trailboss” for many successful and safe adventures.

Charlie is survived by his wife of 47 years, Lucia (Tufo) Kirk, his son and daughter-in-law, Tim and Laura Kirk of Richboro PA, his daughter and son-in-law, Kelly and Arthur Stokes of Hamilton NJ, his sister and brother-in-law, Theresa and William Pavlica of Winterset IA, and four grandchildren, Oliver, Lillian, Jameson and Marcus. He will also be missed by several nieces, nephews and other family members.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, November 5, 2021 at Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington NJ. Interment will follow in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Flemington. Calling hours will be on Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00 pm and on Friday morning from 10:00 am until the time of service at the funeral home.

The service will be livestreamed by

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In lieu of flowers, donations in Charlie’s name may be made to the LICA Scholarship Fund and mailed to NJ-LICA, PO Box 166, Succasunna, NJ 07876.

For further information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.holcombefisher.com.