Brenton Kirk

Brenton Sanborn “Kork” Kirk, a lifelong resident of New Philadelphia, Ohio, died unexpectedly but peacefully, Tuesday evening, June 3, 2008 at his home in Swan Creek Retirement Village, Toledo. He and his wife, Elly, had relocated there in 2005 to be closer to their son, Phillip and his family. Born in Dover, Ohio on July 20, 1925, Kork was the son of the late Brenton Sanborn and Frances (Fribley) Kirk. After graduating from New Philadelphia High in 1943, he was recruited by Ohio State’s football team. He enlisted in the United States Marines at about the same time. Kork went through only 10 days of summer football practice under Paul Brown before receiving orders to report to Bowling Green State University on July 1, 1943 as a member of the Marine V-12 program. This was considered active duty. OSU’s Marine program was full. He was stationed at Bowling Green for 16 months. While there, he earned letters in both football and basketball. His basketball team went to the National Invitational Tournament at Madison Square Garden, where they lost to St John’s University. St John’s went on to win the tournament. Kork left Bowling Green in October of 1944 for Parris Island boot camp. He was moved to Camp Lejeune in 1945, to Quantico in April of the same year and then back to Lejeune in June of 1945. In July he was moved to Camp Pendleton Marine Base, Oceanside, California. It was in early July, from Camp Pendleton, that he and his fellow Marines set out for the invasion of Japan. However, on August 6th and 9th, the United States dropped nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki Japan. As a result of these devastating attacks, the Japanese surrendered, and Kork was instead stationed in Hawaii. There, he played football for the TC Marines in the fall of 1945, finally returning to the mainland in May of 1946. He was discharged from the Marines at Great Lakes that June and enrolled at Ohio State University in August of the same year. He played three seasons for the Ohio State Buckeyes before graduating in December of 1948. The December prior to his graduation, he married his high school sweetheart, Eleanor “Elly” Marsh. They had their first daughter, Elizabeth, three days after the 1948 Michigan Ohio State game. As Kork often proudly recalled, despite her condition, Elly attended that historic game. In 1949, they moved north from Columbus to their hometown of New Philadelphia. At this time, Kork began work with his father at the Belmont Copper Enameling Plant, (an easy walk from his 4th Street home) and continued until the business closed on the June 30, 1955. The very next day, Kork began his career at the Marlite Corporation. He worked there for 32 years retiring on October 1, 1987. Kork had many interests outside of work including: cooking, (mainly in the form of candy making), yard work, tennis, (when physically able) and taking care of the swimming pool…which he kept sparkling clean for his family. Kork was a long-time member and past president of New Philly’s Rotary Club and continued his membership in Maumee. He had perfect attendance for over 55 years and enjoyed working on civic endeavors with the New Philly Rotary. He was especially proud of their contributions to Tuscora Park. Kork was a member of the First United Church of Christ, but transferred membership to his son’s church, The First Presbyterian Church in Maumee in 2006, as well as an active member of the local YMCA. He was President of the “Y” Board as well as President of the Board of Trustees there and helped with several expansion projects. Finally, Kork was also, happily, an informal member of Aberth’s Coffee Gang. Kork and Elly celebrated 50 years of marriage on December 27, 1997, and had been together almost 58 years at the time of Elly’s death in 2005. They had four children: Elizabeth Kirk, married to Dwain Hicks with five wonderful children; Kathryn Louise Kirk, a professional photographer living in Brooklyn, New York with two beautiful daughters; Brenton Marsh Kirk, who had just completed his junior year at Yale in 1975 when he died in a boating accident, at Lewis Lake, Montana; Phillip Russell Kirk, married to Helen Hibert and living in Maumee, Ohio with three lovely daughters. Elly and Kork followed and supported their children and grandchildren in their athletic, academic and professional endeavors. Additionally, Kork has noted his appreciation for the great backing that his wife, Elly, has given to him in his life,”Â?it would have been impossible (to do what I’ve done) without her support,” he has written. Kork was a football official for 40 years and was inducted into the Football Official’s Hall of Fame.Elly preceded him in death on December 12, 2005. In addition to Kork and Elly’s children his family includes ten grandchildren, Joseph Russell and wife Kim Hicks of Denver, Colorado, Jonathan Dwain Hicks and companion Courtney Weissensee of New Philadelphia, Juliet Lynn Hicks of Denver, Colorado, Phillip Brent Hicks of Columbus, Ohio, Andrew Christopher Hicks of New Philadelphia, Elena Camille Kirk and Paloma Luisa Kirk of Brooklyn, NY, and Celesta Jane Kirk, Nora Lois Kirk, and Leah Marsh Kirk all of Maumee; and great-grandchildren, Hudson and Marco Hicks of Denver, Colorado complete the family. Survivors also include his two sisters, Ann Marsh of New Philadelphia, and Jane (Charlie) Jenkins of Boulder, Colorado, and one brother, David (Linda) Kirk of San Antonio, Texas. In addition to his son and wife, his brother-in-law, Jack Marsh, preceded Kork in death.Friends are invited to call Tuesday, June 10th from 4 to 7p.m. at the Linn-Hert Geib Funeral Home and Crematory, New Philadelphia. The Reverend Jeffrey Gerber will lead a celebration of Brent’s life Wednesday afternoon, June 11, at 1 p.m. in the sanctuary of the First United Church of Christ, 201 Fair Avenue NW, New Philadelphia. Burial will immediately follow in Evergreen Burial Park. Following the graveside service, friends and family are invited back to the Geib Family Center, located adjacent to the funeral home, where a meal will be served. Those unable to attend are invited to send condolences to the family, sign an online guest registry and view a memorial to Kork, by visiting the funeral home’s website. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Tuscarawas County YMCA, 600 Monroe Street, Dover, Ohio 44622.Brent will be deeply missed by his loving family and friendsÂ?especially his quick smile and gentle heart.