Obituary of Joseph Quirk

Joseph Patrick Quirk, Jr., age 79, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away on Monday, October 18th at home surrounded by his family in Manalapan, NJ. Born in Jersey City, NJ, he was a graduate of Saint Peter’s Prep and College. He earned Master’s degrees in math and education administration from Rutgers University. He retired as a middle school principal of 19 years in Freehold Township at the Eisenhower and Barkalow schools.

Upon college graduation, he served in the U.S. Army as a Signal Corps Officer with the Fourth Infantry Division. After his service, he worked in management for Johnson & Johnson Health Care Products. He left J&J to pursue a teaching career, in math and science, first in Freehold and then in Freehold Township, where he also coached basketball at the Eisenhower school. He refereed high school soccer, basketball, baseball and softball. He enjoyed coaching Little League Baseball for over 25 years. He was a member of the Yorktowne Social Club in Manalapan and served on the Manalapan Township Emergency Response Team.

Joe loved the beach, gardening, traveling and sports. His favorite days were the gatherings of his children and grandchildren on the Washington Avenue Beach in Avon, NJ.

Surviving are his beloved wife Anne, son Joseph Quirk III and his wife Atsuko, daughter Caroline Cestero and her husband Richard, son Michael Quirk and his wife Michelle, stepsons Steve Cebula and his wife Lynn and David Cebula and his wife Candy, stepdaughters Kathleen Randazzo, Robin Sclavunos and her husband Jim, and Teresa Barrett and her husband John, brother Jeffrey Quirk and sister Judith Greeley and her husband Tom and family. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He loved his family very much, and as his grandchildren grew, he followed their accomplishments with great pride.

Visitations will be from 1pm to 3pm and 5pm to 7pm on Thursday, October 21^st at Freeman Manalapan Marlboro Funeral Home, 344 Route 9 North,  Manalapan. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to American Cancer Society. To leave a condolence or find directions, visit www.freemanfuneralhomes.com