Dinner, concert to benefit family of late city employee Austin Kirk

May 24—SHARON — In his short life, Austin Kirk built a reputation for generosity of spirit and a willingness to help his family, his co-workers and his infant son.

"He was just the most amazing person to be around," said Alyssa Nichols, Kirk's partner. "People keep telling me he would give the shirt off his back and it's true."

Kirk, 25, of Sharon, passed away unexpectedly March 29. He was a father, partner, son, brother, grandson, friend, co-worker, animal lover, sports fanatic and country music lover. He worked for the Public Works Department in Sharon.

Kirk's family, friends and co-workers have come together to create a special benefit concert event June 1 to raise money for Nichols and their son, Benjamin Waylon Kirk, who is 17 months old to help with expenses and to help provide support for their future.

"He was hardworking, a super strong guy," Nichols said. "He could lift or do anything for anybody, so he was always the one working hardest."

The benefit dinner and concert will be 5 to 9 p.m. une 1 at Quaker Steak & Lube in downtown Sharon. The $10 tickets include a spaghetti dinner and musical performance by local country artist Chris Higbee. There will also be a raffle, silent auction and other activities to raise money.

"I'm super grateful that the city and community wants to come together to help myself and Ben for it," Nichols said. It really shows me how many people's lives he touched. So many people have come out of the woodwork to make sure his son was taken care of. That's what Austin would've done."

Nichols said she hopes there is a good turnout for the event; not because of the money, but to show Kirk's importance in the community.

She said the city of Sharon was very important to them.

"We love Sharon so much," said Nichols, who recently got a job as a teacher at Sharon Middle School. "We're Sharon through and through."

Kirk's mother, Kellie Yobe, said she is so grateful for everything the city has already done in her son's name.

"They had all the trucks escort from the funeral home to the church and a flag up in the roundabout," Yobe said. "Since this happened, I didn't realize how many people Austin talked to and knew."

Kirk was the oldest of eight children, with seven younger sisters.

"My daughters have joked and used to get mad because he was harder on them than their parents," Yobe said. "It's been really hard on the girls."

Yobe said Kirk did a lot for the family and other people.

"He mowed everybody's grass during his lunch break," Yobe said. "A lot of people told me that he took care of their yard or helped them move."

Yobe is in awe of the city and local donors pulling together a benefit dinner and concert. The organizing committee includes Courtney Cilli, the Lube, Warehouse Sales, Sharon Public Works Department, The Keg Bar and Grille, The Small Town Storyteller and the family and friends of Austin Kirk.

"We appreciate all the support everybody's given us since it happened," Yobe said. "Everyone who put it together and donated. And everything."

Follow Melissa Klaric on twitter @HeraldKlaric or email her at mklaric@sharonherald.com

Follow Melissa Klaric on twitter @HeraldKlaric or email her at mklaric@sharonherald.com