Obituary of John F. (Jack) Quirk, Jr.

John F. (Jack) Quirk, Jr., 83, of Hopatcong, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 16, at home, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Orange, NJ, on October 17, 1940 to the late John and Dorothy (Moriarty) Quirk, Jack has resided in Hopatcong since 1966. Jack was a graduate of Columbia High School in South Orange-Maplewood, NJ (Class of 1958); New Mexico State University (Class of 1963); and earned his Master's Degree at Fairleigh Dickinson University (Class of 1973). He was a respected teacher of high school Spanish from 1964-1965 at Hanover Park High School and from 1965-1989 at Morris Hills and Morris Knolls High Schools. After his retirement from his teaching career, Jack operated his own lawn maintenance business until 2006.

Jack was a devoted parishioner of St. Jude RC Church in Hopatcong since 1966, where he served as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, and taught Religious Education. From 2020-2024, he was the Ministry Head of Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers. He also volunteered many hours taking care of the church's grounds maintenance needs. In May of 2011, Jack received The Vivere Christus Award in recognition of his outstanding service to the Church of Paterson. He found great joy in his 14 years of service at St. Clare's Hospital Dover where he volunteered in various capacities and also interpreted for the Spanish-speaking patients. Jack enjoyed playing chess with his grandchildren, doing crossword puzzles, attending country music concerts, and caring for his lawn at home.

In addition to his parents, Jack was predeceased by his brother; Sgt. Peter Quirk, USMC.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years; Madeline, four children; Jack (Jerilyn), David, Dennis (Judy) and Laurie Pierro (John), ten grandchildren; Emily, Danny, Nolan, Elise, Faith, Alexander, Noelle, Johnny, Zach and Nathan, two sisters; Anne (Paul) Makowski and Kathy (Phil) Jackson, one brother; Tom (Linda) Quirk, sister-in-law; Gail Quirk and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Jack's Life Celebration will include visiting hours from 4:00-8:00 PM on Thursday, June 20, at Leber-Lakeside Funeral Home, 150 Landing Road, Landing, NJ. A funeral Mass will be offered on Friday, June 21 at 10:00 AM at St. Jude RC Church, 40 Maxim Drive, Hopatcong, NJ. Jack will be laid to rest at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover, NJ immediately following Mass. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to St. Jude RC Church, 40 Maxim Drive, Hopatcong, NJ 07843 and/or Pillar High School, (Formerly The Horizon School), Pillar Care Continuum, 120 Eagle Rock 290, East Hanover NJ 07936 or online at https://pillarschoolsnj.org/donate/.  Checks made payable to Pillar Care Continuum.