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The family of Kyle Kirst uploaded a photo
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
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Alan Saltzman posted a condolence
Friday, March 11, 2016
I knew Kyle my senior year in high school (huntington high school). He was a very decent person and very nice to me.
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Charles Hartley posted a condolence
Sunday, September 6, 2015
Kyle Kirst Gave Us Heaven On Earth
More than a dozen players on the Summit High School varsity lacrosse team showed up in sport coats. They stood in a line along the side wall of the St. Elizabeth School auditorium.
They were solemn.
This was earlier this summer, the 16th of June.
It was a sunny morning. But it didn’t feel sunny.
The boys were there for an unfathomable event, the funeral of their unique lacrosse coach, Kyle Kirst, who had led, inspired, and reached their souls like no one ever had.
It was shocking.
A few days prior Kyle led those young men to greatness on the lacrosse field. But it wasn’t greatness -- they knew so well -- because he was such a gifted coach that led them to so many victories. They won 19 of their 24 games and went to the state title game last season. It was because he taught them, by the way he treated them, how to be great human beings.
High school boys aren’t supposed to cry. On that day they did. Crying about the passing of Mr. Kirst was not shameful and never will be.
The Summit boys were among the masses enduring Bernardsville’s saddest day. Countless people came from all over New Jersey to pay Kyle his last respects. At his wake the night before, lovers of him waited for four hours in long lines to support Kyle’s wonderful wife and five spectacular sons.
The next morning as I sat at the auditorium for the funeral, Kyle’s death hit me with overwhelming intensity. Losing control of my emotions, tears filled my eyes. Never have I experienced a cry as honest, painful, and sudden.
The most positive human being I have ever met was gone. It was unthinkable. Still is. Bernardsville lost the greatest person any of us had ever met.
One of my neighbors, a woman, saw me crying. She said: “In recent years Kyle would sit on our front porch during the holiday season and sing Christmas carols to my family.”
That was Kyle. He loved to sing and did it well. Of course he never told me about singing to my neighbors. It wasn’t him to talk about what he did. His predilection was to deflect attention away towards others -- always.
I did not know Kyle knew my neighbor. I should have assumed. Kyle knew everybody.
Once he met you, you became his everlasting close friend. It was uncanny how uplifted, amused, and energized he made you feel. No one could make you feel as good about yourself as Kyle. No one.
My neighbor loved him. Your neighbor loved him. Shane loved him. “The first time I met Kyle we talked NFL football and I told him I was from Kansas and a Kansas City Chiefs fan,” Shane told me on the phone the week Kyle died. “From then on he called me ‘Kansas City Chiefs’ every time he saw me.”
Kyle did things his way. I once saw him drive by in his van. There was a full-size lacrosse goal on his roof. With one arm out the window, he held it there. Kyle didn’t take time to string it down. He was too busy.
When it came time to buy a Christmas tree, my kids would always want to go to the store where Kyle was helping people pick out trees and lifting them into their cars.
There was, and never will be, a more jovial person with whom to buy a Christmas tree. It was like going to see Santa Claus.
My son loved him. My daughters loved him. Gary loved him. Joe loved him. Michele loved him.
Bernardsville Food Store managers loved him. Minutes after the funeral as an endless procession of cars passed by the store, the store manager said to me: “Kyle would stop in here every morning, say hello to all of us, and buy a newspaper and cup of coffee. He came here three times a day. He would come in at night to buy milk for his family.”
Kyle and his newspapers – who could forget those? During the Somerset Hills Bulldogs youth football games over the past decade, he self-designated himself play-by-play man, color analyst, and weekend news update guy. He sat in the press box with his microphone. In that role and in every aspect of his life, Kyle could be heard above us all.
During those games he read a litany of box scores about girl’s lacrosse games, or whatever, played the night before in South Jersey. Or who knows where? No one had heard of many of the teams or the towns. This was Kyle making us laugh. He loved to laugh.
No one cared what Kyle read to us because Kyle was being Kyle. We wanted him as he was, doing what he did, playing his unmatched role in our lives. If he wasn’t perfect, it seemed as if he was.
Everyone in the New Jersey involved in lacrosse knew him and loved him. I mean everyone: referees, opposing coaches, league administrators, statisticians, ball boys, water boys -- everyone. He knew the guy who sold ice at the convenience store.
Everyone in the Delbarton School community loved him. His son, Conner, graduated from the school four months ago. He was a star player in lacrosse and football. For the past three years during varsity football games, Kyle became a weekly fixture grilling burgers and hot dogs while laughing and joking with anyone and everyone. One day last Fall he hurled a burger my way when I wasn't looking his way. It hit me in the chest. No matter how it came to me, Kyle knew I liked burgers.
“I read your article in the Bernardsville News,” he said to me one day. “The one about the Morristown Book Festival.”
Kyle and his newspapers. He knew what I cared about. Extending feel-good personal touches was automatic, innate, and visceral. It was who he was.
Matt loved him. David loved him. Tim loved him. Dee loved him. Father John loved him. Girls loved him. Boys loved him. Athletes loved him. Non-athletes loved him. Colin loved him. He gave his high school students nicknames. For that and so many other reasons, they loved him. This list is endless.
Since Kyle passed I feel less fear of my own death. The way Kyle lived assuaged my concerns. He had that level of impact. I feel sure you feel the same way. Kyle was Heaven on Earth. He will be Heaven in Heaven.
Awaiting us is Saint Kyle – with a smile.
There will be an important fundraiser for Kyle’s family on Saturday, September 12, at 7:00 pm. The event will be held at the Tantleff Residence, 180 Mount Harmony Road, Bernardville, N.J. Admission is $100 per person. There will be music and dancing. Please send checks to Gia Baumert, 112 Old Army Road, Bernardsville, NJ 07924.
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Stevie Collins Motown lax 93 posted a condolence
Friday, June 19, 2015
Kyle Coached me in HS as a favor to his college buddy Tommy Reilly. He immediately made an impact on my life and became my idol. Little did I know at that time Kyle would later become my teammate, coaching mentor, opponent, fellow educator and a dear old friend. Even when squaring off againt him in a playoff game I always thought of him as more of a big brother than an adversary. I can truly say that he was one of the most genuine, friendly and kind hearted people I ever met and I am a better person for knowing him. God Blees and rest in peace my friend. Live Stevie C
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KRISTIN BLAKE lit a candle
Friday, June 19, 2015
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Coach Kirst, I will never forget our winning game against Chatham, freshman yr of basketball. I can't believe you are gone and how weird this feels. What an exuberant, loving, kind man. The world is a little darker now that you are gone. Rest easy, Coach
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Olivia Laurita posted a condolence
Friday, June 19, 2015
Mr. Kirst made me feel so welcome in our class, despite the fact that I'm really quiet and shy. He knew I sketched in my notebook in class, and rather than scold me for it, he accepted it and learned to make peace it. He really knew how to put a smile on my face with his "How's my self-portrait coming along, Olivia?" joke. I really regret not getting to know him better... I could tell what an optimistic, happy guy he was. He loved his job and all of the students he had the pleasure to teach. It's hard to find teachers that appreciative of their job sometimes. I'm just so shocked that he's gone just like that... I will miss you a lot Mr Kirst. I wish I could've told you what a great teacher you were before you left us...
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Joan, Jeff, John & Jessica Sailliard lit a candle
Friday, June 19, 2015
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Our hearts ache to hear about Kyle/Coach. He always greeted everyone with a smile, even if he didn't know them personally. I remember talking to him while at the track with my son and somehow we mentioned Hanover Park where I went and we spoke briefly before he ran laps; he had a way to talk with you like an old friend, make you feel at ease and had a great smile. Everyone's heart aches with you and feels your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time.
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Shirley Guillen-Fleitas lit a candle
Friday, June 19, 2015
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Jesus said that whomever believed in Him should not perish but have eternal life. We will see Kyle again but we will miss him for a little while. In the meantime he is preparing the table for us for when we arrive home. Blessings, Shirley Guillen-Fleitas and Sue Holleran
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Shirley Guillen-Fleitas posted a condolence
Friday, June 19, 2015
I can see Kyle high-5ing the angels. He was an amazing person and I am immensely grateful for the blessing of having known him and having the opportunity to love him and call him friend. He is now home in the arms of our Loving Father. This is not the end, we will see him again. May God's peace be with you.
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Susan Holleran posted a condolence
Friday, June 19, 2015
May the knowledge that Kyle is in the arms of our Savior bring you peace. May the certainty that we will see him again help you heal. God's peace be with you at this difficult time.
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nancy balkon posted a condolence
Thursday, June 18, 2015
It was 1974 when Joe and I became Spruce Court next door neighbors of the Kirst family. Kyle, the youngest, truly celebrated life!!! Kyle had you at hello with his smile an vibrance.
The stories are many of wonderful times on "the court".
It's obvious from the pictures posted these two days as well as the outpouring of heartfelt tributes that Kyle continued to build on his amazing qualities through the years. May God Bless Us Every One! With Empathy, The Balkon Family
P.S. I have pictures to send along any time.
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The Rocci's posted a condolence
Thursday, June 18, 2015
In life there are very few great people we meet. He was definitely one of them. He made all of us feel special. Our prayers go out to the Family. We will miss him.
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Chris Kenny posted a condolence
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Prayers and Condolences to the Kirst Family in this difficult time. Kyle had direct, positive influence on our family, thru his mentoring, coaching and friendship. What a wonderful person! He will be sorely missed.
the Kenny Family
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The Fernicola's lit a candle
Thursday, June 18, 2015
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An angel has fallen from our midst, but he will never be forgotten. He has touched so many people with his kindness, generosity and most of all his humor. All the stories we have of him and memories we share with others will always keep him a live in our hearts. Peace be with you and yur family.
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The Apel Family lit a candle
Thursday, June 18, 2015
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We lost an amazing human being in Kyle, it makes my heart hurt to think that I will not see him again.
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Jon Lesnik posted a condolence
Thursday, June 18, 2015
our condolences to the Kirst family. Kyle was a tremendous father, coach and person. Stefanie and I are heartbroken about his passing at such a young age. He had a positive influence on children in the Bernardsville community, and throughout Morris and Somerset County as a teacher and coach. He will be missed. Our wishes and prayers are with the Kirst family.
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Salvatore Iossa posted a condolence
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
My deepest condolences sent out to the Kirst family. Mr Kirst was my history teacher in 2000 at hanover park. He was without a doubt my favorite and best teacher Ive ever had. We had a special relationship and I will forever keep in my memory. May God give you all strength during this difficult time. Thank you couch for the education, many laughs and inspiration you given to me not only as a person, but as a father as well. Rest in peace.
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Donna and Rick Cassella lit a candle
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
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Charles Dolan posted a condolence
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Simply the greatest guy ever!!
I am a better person for having known him.
God bless the Kirsts!!
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Debra Ann Wahle posted a condolence
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
It is with great sadness and disbelief that I heard today of Kyle's passing. There was no one more full of life and joyful as Kyle. I had the pleasure of befriending Kyle while teaching at Whippany Park. I've read all of the heartfelt tributes and references to his over the top, friendly demeanor and remember all of the fun interactions I had with him too. He never passed me in the hall without a large hello. I also remember the birth of many of his boys. I knew they were lucky to have him as a father and am sure they will miss him terribly. Kyle will forever be held in high regard. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife and boys at this time.
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Berardescos lit a candle
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
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We are sending our sincere condolences to your family.
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Greg, Robin, Caitlin, and Caroline Hoyt lit a candle
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
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Much love and prayers in this difficult time. There are no adequate words that could ever provide comfort. Know that we, and many others, are thinking of you.