Joe Kirk, whose volunteer efforts as an Assistant Sailing Coach at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy made an impact on countless Buccaneer student-athletes, was one of five individuals inducted into the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association's Hall of Fame on June 26th in ceremonies held in Newport, R.I. Kirk, whose induction was posthumous after he succumbed to a battle with cancer last September, was the recipient of the ICSA's Lifetime Service Award for his many contributions to the sport of sailing.

An employee of the Academy for 10 years, Kirk was a longtime volunteer coach at Massachusetts Maritime who served as a teacher, friend, coach and mentor to all he came in contact with. A graduate of Bentley University, Kirk served in the National Guard and pursued a career as a hospital purchasing agent until he came to Buzzards Bay and to Massachusetts Maritime's Boat Donation Program, where he worked tirelessly to prepare its fleet for the water each season.

The Buccaneer sailing program uses numerous offshore boats as well as dinghies, ensuring that boat maintenance is endless, and because of Kirk's efforts and commitment to the program, the boats were always in top condition and the Academy's fund raising efforts were always successful, allowing the school to put up to 50 Cadets on the water for weekend competition.

"Whether tending to bright work, delivering by land or sea there was always an enthusiasm and love for the journey exuded by Joe," Massachusetts Maritime Director of Sailing Chuck Fontaine said of Kirk. "He is missed as much for his work and effort as for the myriad of jokes that help him and others through the day.

"Joe was one of a kind and is not only missed for what he contributed but more for what he avoided," Fontaine continued. "Never one to complain, chastise a fellow worker or aggravating customer, Joe could win the respect of a child or adult with a smile and "hi how do you do!"

An active member of Chapoquoit Yacht Club, the essence of Kirk's thoughtfulness and leadership by example was captured by Commodore Jamie Ramsdell in an e-mail to the membership: "Whether running Wednesday night Beetle races with Becky during their ‘date night,' scrubbing the bottom of a friend's boat who never seemed to find the time, or walking around with his Santa hat during the Clambake, there was no better friend to the members of CYC than Joe Kirk . . . Much of what Joe did was behind the scenes where few noticed. The bailed boat, untwisted outhaul, or replacement Beetle part all seemed to just happen. His pure enjoyment in being at Little Pier on a summer day was a feeling that was tangible. While lifting the floats into the water each spring Joe would always remark: "This is my favorite day of the year."

(Materials from the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association and www.collegesailing.org were also used in the preparation of this release)