Obituary of Kyle Kirst

Kyle Paulan Kirst (47) passed away suddenly on Wednesday, June 16, 2015 at his home in Bernardsville. Kyle will be remembered as a dedicated and talented educator and coach, beloved father to five amazing sons and a devoted husband. Born in Huntington, New York on September 8, 1968, Kyle was the son of Charles and Gail Kirst. He attended Huntington High School and graduated from Rutgers University in 1990 where he earned a bachelor degree in History and Education, and excelled on the lacrosse field as goalie for the Scarlet Knights. A passionate coach to so many, especially his five sons Connor (17), Colin (16), Cole (14), CJ (12) and Caden (9), Kyle instilled a sense integrity, hard work and a reputation for always doing the right thing while having fun. For the last ten years he was a Varsity Lacrosse coach at Summit High school and ran the hallmark defense program there under head coach Jim Davidson. He taught History at Hanover Park High school and was also head lacrosse coach there prior to his role at Summit. In 1993, Kyle began his coaching career at Princeton High school and held coaching positions as a girls Basketball and JV Lacrosse coach at Hanover Park and West Morris High School. Kyle earned numerous awards for his abilities to encourage kids and build winning teams. His larger than life presence, both on and off the field, earned him many friends and admirers In 1994, Kyle married his college sweetheart Michelle Gatreau, and soon afterward they started their family and moved to Bernardsville. Kyle was preceded in death by his mother Gail Beverly Paulan Kirst and is survived by his father Charles R. Kirst, his wife Michelle Gatreau Kirst, his five sons, and three sisters Kerry (Jim) Zimmer, Kristin (John) O'Rourke and Kelly (John) Raucci as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. To celebrate Kyle's life, visitation will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2015 from 4:00 – 8:00 PM at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 111 Claremont Road, Bernardsville, NJ. Funeral Mass will be Friday, June 19th at 12:30 PM at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Bernardsville. The family wishes to thank everyone for the love and kindness shown to them during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 111 Claremont Road, Bernardsville, NJ 07924, http://www.youcaring.com/mrs-kyle-kirst-and-family-372302#.VYC5bYlK72Y.mailto, the church has created an option for accepting donations for the Kirst family for a short term. If you would like to donate please send a check made out to OLPH, with Kirst family in the memo. For further information please contact Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home at 908-766-0250, or to light an online condolence candle please visit our website at www.gcfuneralhome.com