Paul G. Kirk Sr.

Paul G. Kirk Sr.
Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
In office
1960–1970
Nominated by Foster Furcolo
Preceded by Edward A. Counihan
Succeeded by Robert Braucher
Massachusetts Commissioner of Public Safety
In office
1934–1937
Preceded by Daniel Needham
Succeeded by Eugene M. McSweeney
Personal details
Born Paul Grattan Kirk
(1905-09-25)September 25, 1905
East Boston
Died August 2, 1981(1981-08-02) (aged 75)
Centerville, Massachusetts
Alma mater Harvard College
Harvard Law School
Military service
Allegiance  United States
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service 1922–1945
Rank Brigadier General

Paul Grattan Kirk (September 25, 1904 – August 2, 1981) was an American jurist who served as an associate justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.

Early life

Kirk was born on September 25, 1904 in East Boston. He was the tenth of John and Maud's fourteen children. He graduated from The English High School in 1922, Harvard University in 1926, and Harvard Law School in 1929. After law school he joined the firm of Hale & Dorr. On September 19, 1934, he married Josephine O'Connell. The ceremony was performed by her uncle, Cardinal William Henry O'Connell.[1]

Military career

On June 23, 1922, Kirk enlisted in the 2nd Battalion of the 101st Field Artillery Regiment. He later served as a staff sergeant and on May 1, 1924 was commissioned as a second lieutenant. He was promoted to first lieutenant on December 1, 1925, captain on November 16, 1927, major on July 23, 1930. In 1931 he was appointed to the military staff of Governor Joseph Ely. On June 18, 1934 he was promoted to lieutenant colonel.[1]

In January 1941, Kirk's National Guard unit was called into active service. During World War II he served in the European theatre.[2] During his time in Europe he saw action in North Africa, Italy, France, Germany, and Czechoslovakia and won five battle stars.[2][3] He served as an Army officer and eventually became commander of the 101st Engineers.[4] In 1943, he left the 101st to take an assignment with the Army Military Government in Italy reorganizing the royal military police.[2][5] In 1944 he joined the general staff of the 7th U.S. Army and Sixth United States Army Group. He was discharged from the Army in 1945 with the brevet rank of brigadier general.[2]

Commissioner of Public Safety

In October 1934, Governor Ely appointed Kirk to the position of Commissioner of Public Safety.[1] He was sworn in on October 3, 1934.[6] He was retained by Ely's successor, James Michael Curley.

Judicial career

In December 1937, Kirk was appointed to a judgeship on the Suffolk County Superior Court by Governor Charles F. Hurley.[3] On November 23, 1960, Kirk was nominated by Governor Foster Furcolo to fill a vacancy on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.[4] He retired from the court on December 15, 1970.[7]

Personal life and death

Following his retirement, Kirk moved from Newton, Massachusetts to Centerville, Massachusetts. Kirk died suddenly on August 2, 1981 at his home. He was survived by his two sons, Paul Jr. and Edward, and three daughters, Josephine, Kathleen, and Maud.[3] One of his sons-in-law was ice hockey player and coach Bill Cleary.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Dineen, Joseph (September 30, 1934). "Kirk, A Child Prodigy Who Heads State Police". The Boston Daily Globe.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Leary, Robert V. (December 4, 1960). "New Appointee to State Supreme Bench: Kirk Thrives on Hard Work". The Boston Globe.
  3. 1 2 3 Buchanan, William (August 3, 1981). "Paul G. Kirk, retired justice of Supreme Judicial Court, 76". The Boston Globe.
  4. 1 2 "Furcolo Names Judge Kirk to Supreme Court". The Boston Globe. November 24, 1960.
  5. ↑ "Col. Paul G. Kirk Leaves 101st Regiment for AMG". The Boston Daily Globe. September 2, 1943.
  6. ↑ "Col Kirk Takes Office Today as Public Safety Department Head". The Boston Daily Globe. October 4, 1934.
  7. ↑ Harvey, Joseph M. (December 17, 1970). "Justice Paul Kirk steps down...briskly". The Boston Globe.
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