Claude Kirk

October 17, 2011,

I first met The Governor during the mid 80s at the Holiday Inn Restaurant in Ft. Pierce where he liked to have lunch. I was with Southern Bell then, and we had a great time talking politics, etc. What a great guy and man's man! In the years, I worked with Claudia through her imvolvement in many organizations, and always enjoyed keeping up to date on his doings. A few years ago, while I worked at New England Tech/Lincoln College, he and Erika attended a reception at Cafe Protege. What an honor to spend time with him again. He was a fine man, that did good things for the citizens and state of Florida. I feel fortunate to have known him!

Sincerely,

Claudia: I was deeply saddened to hear of your father's death. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Our most heartfelt condolences to the family of Governor Kirk. With our thoughts and prayers,
David Shisoff and Family

Dear Mrs. Kirk,I was saddened to learn of governor Kirk's passing.I can say I will never forget him and his wonderful sense of humor and him driving that old Jeep Wagoner.You were both so kind to me.You took time to tell me about your family of which you were so proud of.Thank you for sharing all those moments and conversations.I will never forget it.I know you will miss him.Yours Truly, your "old pool man" Bill Anthony,Norman,Oklahoma,

On behalf of the REPUBLICAN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF VOLUSIA COUNTY please accept our feelings of sympathy and our condolences on the passing of Governor Claude Kirk. At our monthly meeting on Oct 1, 2011, Governor Kirk's biography and accomplishments were presented to the Committee. We want to express our admiration for this Florida gentleman, Marine, true patriot, and Statesman. Marines don't die, they just get reassigned. We are sure he is guarding a post in heaven.

He was the last of the Statesmen. I cooked him a Thanksgiving Turkey once back in the eighties...my Mom was so absolutely Star stricken to see him in our front yard in Lake Worth! Rest in peace,Mr.Kirk.

Mrs. Kirk & Family,
On behalf of the late Lou Perini Jr and his surviving family members please accept our heartfelt sincere condolences on the passing of a true southern gentleman. My father and grandfather were grateful for the many years of friendship with Claude. As a young boy I traveled with my father many times to visit Claude at his Palm Beach Home. Later in life my father shared with me some of the mentoring Claude was so generous to give to my father.Claude was always highly spoken of in our household and considered a true friend by my father and grandfather, the late Lou Perini Sr.
Please know you are in the Perini family's prayers and may Claude rest in peace in heaven.
Sincerely
Lou Perini III

To Erika and the family my deepest sympathy! Hugs and prayers!
Behind every great man is a great woman. Claude would be the first to tell you that. I met him over the many years I worked at Thrift Inc.Charity Thrift Shop on Worth Ave. where Erika volunteered . Actually Claude did too because he was her chauffeur. He would drive her and pick her up ( a job he loved driving the one he loved) and when you saw him coming get ready to laugh. When I would see him coming up the sidewalk I used to love to put items they would donate in the window on Worth Ave. with a high price and say formerly worn by Governor Claude Kirk. He would see it and laugh. I loved his Alligator Alley stories like many did. I know the angels are gathered around him laughing with him now! I heard them as I sat in the circle in Sebring FL. Veterans Memorial and watched the sunrise over our flag at half staff in honor of a great man, a true southern gentleman that tipped his hat. R.I.P. Governor! your friend and fan Debbie Walker Sebring FL.

To Sarah and all of the Kirk family ... Joe and I send our deepest sympathy to you. We have great memories of "The Governor" and the Kassuba days. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Governor Kirk wasn't a Politician... he was a "statesman"!
...and he was my daddy's friend!
Phil Lewis will miss your lunch dates at "Barbie's" and so will the staff!
I loved the stories dad would tell...Alligator Alley...every story seemed too kool!
A real loss... for the rest of us, but he is at Peace.
Blessings, The Phil Lewis Families