CNBNews

On April 20th, 2022, at the age of 64, of Cameron, NC, formerly of Laurel Springs, NJ. Kirk, in a restful hospice center of Lakeland, Fl. passed peacefully in his sleep.

His battle with early onset Alzheimer disease was quickly debilitating. In recent years he showed his courage in facing life’s challenges with a smile. Despite his confusion and pain, he was always thinking of others. His biggest desire was to help his mother in her time of need. Although he wasn’t able to be there for her in that capacity, he did find joy in watching over his youngest grandson Daniel. He was always gentle and attentive to his needs. Often fiercely protective.

Kirk was born in Camden, NJ. He was the only son of the late Raymond L. Thomer, Jr. and Dorothy M (Cowley) Bitler. Kirk is survived by his 3 loving children, Sarah M. Gruben (Daniel), Brigitte A. Thomer and Kirk L Thomer II (Amanda); 10 grandchildren, Andrew, Breanna, Tyler, Jacob, Kaydence, Kylie, Jonathan, Addison, James, and Daniel and his 7 siblings, Donna Mendelero (Ed) Julie Phunder, Nicole Falcon, Linda Mitcham (Timothy), Gloria Eller (Michael), Catherine Balsteri (Gregory), and Charles Bitler Jr. (Susan).

Straight from high school to the Merchant Marines, Kirk enjoyed traveling the globe. Although he only was on the sea for a short time, it planted his lifelong desire to sail. He retired in 2011 after working over 35 years for the Department of Defense. He was a very hard working, dedicated employee who hardly missed a days work, or the opportunity for overtime. He painted large submarines and aircraft carriers for the US Navy for many years working beside his late step-father Charles Bitler. Then transferring later in his career to become a facility manager of a large hospital in Fort Bragg NC.

A single father from 1980 on. Kirk would probably say that was his greatest life challenge but also, his greatest life’s accomplishment. What he lacked as a young parent, he surely made up for as a loving grandfather. A creative and artistic man Kirk enjoyed displaying his talents any way he could. To include designing new ways to showcase signage within the vast facility he retired from, to building bird houses for his friends in his free time, along with many home improvement projects and rebuilding his sailboat. His heart for animals was unmatched, he rescued many and loved all who crossed his path. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to complete that lifelong goal of freely sailing the globe, but in that missed opportunity he did manage to teach his children to never put off their dreams, do not make the mistake of sacrificing time for security. Go after life with passion, like there is no tomorrow. Life makes no promises, time is fleeting, nothing is guaranteed. Make time for the ones you love and share as much of what you love with them as you can.

Family and friends are invited to his Memorial from 10am to 11am on Friday June 24th in the McCann Healey Funeral Home, 851 Monmouth St. Gloucester City, NJ Burial will follow in the Berlin Cemetery, Berlin, NJ.

Condolences and Memories may be shared at www.mccannhealey.com under the obituary of Kirk L. Thomer, Sr. Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries through: McCann-Healey Funeral Home, Gloucester City. Ph: 856 456 1142