A prominent councillor for education, Councillor David Kirk died suddenly on Sunday August 15 aged 63.
Cllr Kirk was Hampshire County Council’s Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services, responsible for education and children's service across Hampshire.
He was found dead by a friend at the Kingfisher Caravan Park in Gosport.It has been reported that he may have suffered a heart problem and died in his sleep.
He is survived by his two sons and his wife Tracy and two older daughters from a previous marriage.
Councillor Ken Thornber, Hampshire County Council’s Leader, said: “David will be greatly missed. His death has been a terrible shock and leaves a large hole in the cabinet of Hampshire County Council.
“Children Services have lost a very great champion who was totally committed to the wellbeing of children and young people and maintaining high educational standards across the county’s schools.
“David was a tireless campaigner and was one of those characters who was larger than life. Speaking for myself I have lost not only a superb Executive Member for Children’s Services but a very loyal and kind friend.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Tracey and to David’s sons and daughters at this very sad time.”
Councillor Kirk, was elected to the County Council in 1997 and has held three Cabinet posts. He took on the role at Children's in 2007 having been the Cabinet Member for Education since 2005.
Along with Councillor Felicity Hindson he oversaw the creation of what is now the Children’s Services department when education services were merged with Children’s social care services in 2005.
Prior to that he held the post of Cabinet Member for Community Development and Regeneration. He also represented Hampshire County Council on Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority.
He represented the Andover South Electoral Division on Hampshire County Council and lived in the town since 1987.
John Coughlan, Hampshire County Council’s Director or Children’s Services added: “This is a terrible shock. David was a superb Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services – a man of great commitment and compassion who poured his considerable energy into working for the children and young people of Hampshire. I will miss him badly and so will the officers who worked most closely with him, our staff, our partners and our colleagues in schools and colleges.”
