Kirk O. Larson Sr.

On August 30, 2025 Kirk O. Larson of Barnegat Light, NJ made his final journey home. He was a loving husband, Dad, Poppy, and Great-Grandfather. Kirk Larson was larger than life, and such a gigantic part of the Barnegat Light community as Mayor for 30 years. His absence will be felt across the fishing industry, throughout the Borough of Barnegat Light, and of course in our family...shoes that will be difficult to fill. On behalf of our entire family, we are grateful for the outpouring of support and covet everyone's continued prayers.

Born on May 8, 1954 in Charlottesville, VA, Kirk was the eldest of seven children of Marion Oliver Larson and John Larson. He moved to Barnegat Light at age eight and lived there for the rest of his life. He is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years, Pamela Keane Larson; his three children, Lori Malay and Kirk Larson Jr. of Barnegat Light, and Lindsay Sweeney of The Dunes; and his sons- and daughter-in-law, Daniel Malay III, Heather Larson, and Jason Sweeney. Kirk was a proud grandfather to Madelyn Shirk, Daniel Malay IV, John Larson, Mick Sweeney, and Michael Larson, and a cherished great-grandfather to Tatum Shirk and Blake Shirk.

Kirk graduated from Southern Regional High School in 1972 and was later honored on the district's Wall of Fame in 2008. He met Pamela through mutual friends, and they married in January 1976. Leaving Ocean County College, Kirk pursued commercial fishing full-time. He introduced the scallop industry to Barnegat Light in 1979 with the Grand Larson which he built with his father John. It grew to be an impressive fleet bringing Viking Village and its products to national prominence as one of the East Coast's leading commercial fishing ports.

Over the years, Kirk wore many hats in service to his community. He served as President of the LBI Little League, Engineer of the Barnegat Light Firehouse, and Councilman before being elected Mayor in 1994. He also served as a board member and previous Chairman of the New England Fisheries Scallop Advisory Panel and member of the Fisheries Survival Fund. Kirk was instrumental in launching the popular Firehouse Fish Dinner, in the town purchasing and preserving the former Coast Guard Station (now Borough Hall), and creating the Bay Breeze Pavilion. His efforts included establishing the beach tram service and walkways. He loved the summer Monday town concerts with the large gatherings. He advocated to preserve the borough's charm while resisting projects that threatened its character, such as offshore wind farms. Over his 30 years as Mayor, he worked tirelessly to safeguard both the community and its historic buildings-including his own parents' home.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 27th at 1pm at the Bay Breeze Pavilion in Barnegat Light (weather permitting), with a rain date of Sunday, September 28th. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to support your local first responders, to continue to support Barnegat Light as the fishing community he loved, and worked to preserve the legacy of his vision for our great town. Arrangements are under the direction of Bugbee-Riggs Funeral Home in Ship Bottom.