Paul Shirk, an 18-year Maricopa resident and president of the Maricopa Historical Society, died Sunday. He was 76. 

Shirk grew up in Springfield, Ill., and earned his graduate degree in education from the University of California, Los Angeles. From there, he worked in school administration in San Bernardino, Calif.

After Shirk moved to Maricopa’s Homestead neighborhood in 2007, he became involved in various groups around town. That included the Maricopa Education Foundation, the Maricopa Arts Task Force and, most notably, the Maricopa Historical Society. 

Remembering a historian and friend 

It was his leadership in the historical society that cemented Shirk’s place in Maricopa. Mayor Nancy Smith called him a “fabulous leader” and said he “put community first.” 

“He wanted to ensure that all generations were represented in history and had the opportunity to understand how our community was started and has continued to grow,” she told InMaricopa.  

During Tuesday’s city council meeting, Councilmember Eric Goettl noted Shirk’s passing by saying the city lost “another one of Maricopa’s great ones.” 

“He was a fabulous historian for our city and has captured so much of our history and made it so accessible to our community,” Goettl said. “He will be greatly missed.” 

Councilmember Bob Marsh echoed those sentiments, calling Shirk “a great man, great friend, great supporter and a great historian.” 

Power volunteer Jim Irving said he first met Shirk a little over a decade ago and bonded over their shared background as former California residents and educators. His favorite memory was working with Shirk on an exhibit featuring prominent African American figures from Maricopa’s history, he said.

“Someone mentioned there wasn’t much at the historical society representing people of color. I met with Paul, and he decided, ‘Why don’t we do a whole tapestry of the history including Marvin Brown, Natives and Hispanics?’” Irving recalled. “That was the kind of man Paul was, he was just quick to respond. He did something and got it done.” 

Peg Chapados, a member of the Maricopa Arts and Cultural Affairs Committee, called Shirk “a true champion of Maricopa and our history.” 

“He never shied away from any project or program that helped affirm Maricopa’s proud history and prosperous future,” she said. “He was a mentor, an advocate and a very cherished friend … He will be truly missed.”