Jim Shirk

James R. Shirk, of Mount Airy, Maryland died peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on September 25, 2021. He was 60.

Born on October 30, 1960, in Baltimore, MD, he was the son of Mary Ellen Shirk and the late Joe Brade Shirk. James graduated from Randallstown Senior High School in 1978 and in 1983 married the late Patricia McKissock.

In addition to his fiancé, Sylvia Rivera, he is survived by a daughter, Jamie Laplante and her husband David; sister Sondra Shirk and her husband Edgar; grandchildren Megan, Andrew, Tyler and Travis; aunts Lou Anna Hinish, Louise Shirk, Connie Claycomb and her husband Jerry; uncle Robert Wensel and his wife Karen; and numerous cousins and extended family.

As a child he enjoyed water skiing, crabbing and sailing at his summer home on Kent Island, MD, and spent many summers fishing and “belly-boarding” at Raystown Dam, PA. He was a veteran of the Military Police in Army National Guard. James worked many years for Comcast and was also a school bus driver for Baltimore County Public Schools. He loved to play and watch football, was a “Master Griller”, and loved riding his Harley. Most of all was his love of spending time with his grandkids. James will be forever remembered for his jokes and the way he loved to make people smile.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 or the American Cancer Society, 405 Williams Court, Suite 120, 21220 or Abingdon Volunteer Fire Company, 3306 Abingdon Road, Abingdon, MD 21009.