Obituary of James J. Kirker

JAMES J. KIRKER

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, FL - James Joseph Kirker passed away on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, with his sons by his side.

James, "Jim", was born in Albany, on May 1, 1936, the youngest child of the late John and Rosa (Buchschacher) Kirker. Raised in West Albany, Jim graduated from Roessleville High School in 1954 and went on to earn his bachelor's degree from Siena College in 1959. Jim was drafted in 1960 into the US Army and was honorably discharged in 1962 as a platoon sergeant with the First Infantry Division.

Jim married the love of his life, MaryAnne Choiniere on September 15, 1964, and together they raised two wonderful sons, Jeffrey, and James Jr. Jim worked for the NYS Thruway Authority and NYS Audit and Control until he found his calling as the Colonie Parks and Recreation Director and later as the Colonie Youth Bureau Director. Under his direction as the Parks and Recreation Director, the Colonie Town Pool was built and a long-term plan for expansion was created. He developed town outreach programming that included a system of youth summer camps and afterschool programs as well as youth employment services and senior citizen programs. Jim was a member of the Albany Youth Bureau Association and the NYS Youth Advisory Board.

Jim played baseball on his Roessleville High School team and coached the 1960 NYS Babe Ruth Champs. He was a diehard NY Giants fan and would bleed blue his whole life. Jim had a great love of reading and would debate with you on any subject matter. He loved to fish and never missed his 99 cent Dairy Queen Sundaes. He was a basketball referee, softball, and baseball umpire but he developed a true passion as a Capital District Soccer Referee for over a decade. Jim loved to take his family camping everywhere culminating in a six-week cross country adventure that created lifelong memories for him and his family. Upon retirement Jim enjoyed traveling across Europe with his wife MaryAnne. Jim and MaryAnne retired to New Smyrna Beach in 2001 where they enjoyed many happy years together in Florida.

Jim was predeceased by his wife MaryAnne and siblings William, Edward, Rosemary and Margarette. He is survived by his loving sons Jeffrey (Donna) and James Jr. (Teresa). He will also be missed by his grandchildren; Joseph, Marissa, Jessica, Jennifer, and Kelly whom he completely adored.

Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend calling hours on Thursday, June 29th, 2023 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Dufresne & Cavanaugh Funeral Home, 149 Old Loudon Rd., Latham.

Funeral Mass will take place on Friday, June 30th, 2023, 10:00 AM, at Christ Our Light Church, 1 Maria Dr., Albany.

Immediately following the mass James and Mary Anne will be laid to rest together at Memory Gardens Cemetery, Colonie.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Advent Health Hospice Care, East Florida at https://www.adventhealth.com/ or Siena College at https://www.siena.edu/alumni-and-friends/giving/.

For more information, to order flowers, or leave a condolence message please visit www.dufresneandcavanugh.com.