Jeff Kirsch

1949 - 2022

KIRSCH

JEFF KIRSCH

Jeff Kirsch, a lifelong community organizer who worked to advance the cause of social justice, died peacefully at home on September 19, 2022, at the age of 73. He enjoyed the warmth of family and friends' visits in recent months. Born on June 21, 1949 in Jersey City, NJ, Jeff lived in Virginia during most of his adult life. He lived a life of grace, dignity, and generosity of spirit, and always sprinkled with a healthy dose of humor and good cheer.



Jeff was a dedicated son, husband, father, grandfather, friend and mentor. He devoted his life to his wife, Joan Fox and their two daughters, Katie Masson and Maggie Wilkerson. In recent years his love and devotion extended to his sons-in-law, Philip Wilkerson and Nick Masson and his three grandsons, Bennett, Jack, and Miles. His friends and extended family supported him throughout his illness with loving visits, messages, and calls.



Jeff graduated from the University of Virginia in 1971 where he played on the school's soccer team and continued his political activism throughout his undergraduate years, eventually becoming the president of the Virginia Progressive Party. Jeff entered VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America), a federal program designed to lift communities out of poverty. Working in El Paso, Texas, Jeff started a school lunch program for low-income children. He continued to work with the USDA in providing breakfast and lunch programs throughout rural Texas. He met Joan Fox, a fellow VISTA who was teaching in a bilingual preschool. They fell in love and spent the next fifty years together.



Jeff's work in VISTA led him to join FRAC (Food Research and Action Center), a New York City-Based organization dedicated to fighting poverty-related hunger in the country. Subsequently, Jeff joined a new advocacy organization, Families USA, which was established to advocate for accessible and affordable health care nationwide. Jeff played a leadership role in the organization for more than 20 years, and later served several terms on the Board of Directors. Jeff then joined an organization called Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, whose mission was to partner with unexpected messengers, including law enforcement, lobbying for childcare, preschool and after-school programs. In retirement, Jeff continued his involvement in community work by joining the board of United Community, which provides support to families along the Route 1 corridor of Mount Vernon.



Jeff connected with people throughout his life, whether through his advocacy, his positivity, and kindness. His commitment was always to his family. He was actively involved in the lives of his daughters as they were growing up, which included coaching soccer for almost 15 years. Similarly, he was a loving grandfather to his three grandsons. Jeff was also passionate about music, playing in the Mount Vernon Community band and leading Christmas Carols in Mount Vernon for years with his baritone horn. A Celebration of Life will be held at George Mason University's Harris Theater on Saturday, November 19, at 10 a.m.



In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jeff Kirsch Fund for Anti-Hunger Advocacy at https://frac.org/kirschfund.