Edward "Paul" Kirwan 1940 - 2018

KIRWAN, LA BRECK, BURGOS

Posted By: Connie Swearingen -Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/20/2018 at 15:23:28

Sioux City Journal
29 July 2015

SIOUX CITY | Edward "Paul" Kirwan, 75, of Sioux City, died Monday, July 27, 2015, after fighting brain cancer for more than three years, beating the odds for as long as he could.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Church of the Nativity, with the Rev. Steven McLoud officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be 3 to 8 p.m. today, with family present 5 to 8 p.m. and a vigil service at 6 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel.

Edward "Paul" Kirwan was born April 12, 1940, in Sioux City to Edward "Art" and Mabel "Edna" (La Breck) Kirwan. He grew up in Sioux City and graduated from Heelan High School in 1958. He attended Loras College and Morningside College before serving in the U.S. Navy until 1964. He became the proud owner of a porthole from his old ship, the USS Preble.

He was extremely proud to be a veteran and nothing bothered him more than to see the disrespect that was often shown to the American flag. He served as commander for American Legion Post 697 in Sioux City.

After leaving the service, he went back to college and graduated in 1969 from the University of South Dakota.

He worked at KCAU-TV, first as a cameraman and then as an account executive from 1969 to 1988. After leaving KCAU, he sold real estate for Berding Realty, earning his broker's license, GRI and CRS designations. He served as president of the Greater Sioux City Board of Realtors from 1992 to 1993, and was recognized as Realtor of the Year in 1994 for his service to the profession and community, having served on several committees for the board. He then joined Realty Specialists, where he retired due to illness in 2012.

On Aug. 30, 1969, Paul married Erna Burgos in the Bronx, N.Y., and settled in Sioux City. They had two daughters, Tina and Tracy, of whom he was proud. He never missed their activities in school. He was always there supporting them in whatever they did. He would tell his clients he had an appointment and was not able to show them houses -- being there for his daughters was more important. After the girls were grown, he decided to coach softball for SYA. He enjoyed the sport and wanted to help with the program.

He was a longtime member of Nativity Catholic Church where he served on the parish council and was president of the school board for IC/Nativity School.

Paul was an avid golfer, fisherman and hunter. Immediately before he got sick, he finally got his buck and proudly displayed it, in of all places, on the dining room wall. He would always say as he went by, "That is a nice looking deer." The mount was hung in his room at the nursing home and he would proudly smile when asked about it.

He mostly loved spending time with his daughters and later with his grandchildren, all special to him in different ways.

Survivors include his wife, Erna; daughters, Tina (Michael "Red") Mulvihill of Sioux City and Tracy (Shannon) Braun of Shakopee, Minn.; grandchildren, Aaron and Abby Mulvihill, and Tanner, Mya and Madison Braun; sisters, Mary (Oliver) Montagne and Karen Sall; brother, Kevin (Jane) Kirwan; and 14 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother-in-law, Mike Sall.