In Memory of
David J. Volk
March 5,
1962 - March 7, 2022
Obituary
David J. Volk,
60, of Perth Amboy, passed away on March 7, 2022, at JFK
Medical Center, Edison.
David was the husband
of Susan (Murawski) Volk for 37 years and father to
daughters, Brittany (34) and Courtney (30) and
son-in-law Bill. He was born in Johnstown, PA to the
late Rev. David G. Volk and Carolyn (Baer). David lived
in Perth Amboy for 33 years and was devoted to his
family, friends, faith and public service.
David was a graduate of Perth Amboy High School, Class
of 1980 where he was on the Varsity Football team and
member of All-State Chorus. He could always be found
working on the stage crew, set and lighting designs for
the High School theatrical productions. As a “PK”
(pastor’s kid) he was involved in the choir, plays and
youth group activities at Grace Lutheran Church and was
part of a close knit neighborhood of friends on Neville
Street. He graduated from St. John’s University, NY in
1984 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration
and communications. David also served as a producer for
Cablevision TV3.
From an early age he was fascinated with fire trucks and
knew he wanted to be a fireman. In 1980, David joined
the Keasbey Fire Department as a volunteer as well as
the Perth Amboy Fire Department’s Volunteer Division. In
1987, he was hired by the city as a Firefighter.
Appointed as the department’s initial Training Officer
in 1991, David was promoted to Lieutenant (1999),
Captain (2003), Battalion Chief (2008) and ultimately
rose to become Chief of the Department (2009). David was
a charter member for the Perth Amboy Fire Officers
Association and served as an Assistant Fire Bureau Chief
for the Middlesex County Office of Emergency Management
& Fire Marshal's Office. He received many awards and
recognitions including the 1997 Valor Award, the 1998
Team Effort award from the St. Barnabas Burn Foundation,
and the Valor Award from the Professional Firefighter's
Association of NJ. Before and after his retirement in
2013, David was committed to teaching future generations
of firefighters serving as an instructor with the
Monmouth County Fire Academy. He was extremely proud to
serve his community and cherished the lifelong
friendships he made throughout his career.
David found a second career at the Port Authority of New
York and New Jersey. In 2015, he joined the team as a
Safety Programs Coordinator for the Port Authority Trans
Hudson Corporation (PATH)In 2017, he became the
Principal Safety & Compliance Coordinator and in 2019
was promoted to Manager of System Safety & Environmental
Management. David’s employees always spoke highly of him
and his open door policy. He encouraged communication
and cared about more than just the job.
David could always be found with a cup of coffee in his
hand and was proud of his ability to be in and out of
Wawa in under 60 seconds to get his cup. As a Mets,
Jets, and Knicks fan David experienced heartbreak year
round but remained faithful until the end. He passed on
his love of sports to his girls, enjoying countless
baseball games with Brittany, despite the fact that she
was a Yankees fan, and was thrilled when Courtney went
to Syracuse where he could watch some good college
hoops. David was also a proud “dance Dad”, never missing
a single performance. And, like his organist and choir
director mother, David was a huge music fan. Few things
were better for Dave than drumming on his steering wheel
to some good music.
Above all else, David’s biggest love was his family. As
a brother, he was always there to chat about sports,
give a high five, provide a lending hand, big hug,
cherished advice and support to his brother Paul and
sisters Krista and Sarah. He was a proud uncle who loved
keeping tabs on his nieces’ and nephews' sporting
events, plays, and concerts. David also had the best
little bud in his pup Charlie who he’d provide with
endless naps, cuddles, and love.
David was the ultimate girl Dad. Among all the
achievements in his life, his proudest was his girls.
There was nothing he wouldn’t do for them and he never
missed an opportunity to make them feel loved. He was
also lucky enough to have his best friend and wife, Sue
by his side. You can’t talk about one without the other.
His love for all three of his girls knew no limits.
David was known for his big smile, infectious laugh, and
heart of gold. His legacy will live on through those he
loved.
David is survived by his wife, Susan (Murawski) Volk;
his daughters, Brittany Volk and her partner Chris Morse
and his children, Brayden, Scarlett and Thea, Courtney
(Volk) Skinner and her husband, Bill; his siblings,
Krista Volk, Paul Volk and wife Carol (Zeller) and their
children, Hayden, Matthew and Jack and Sarah Kozak, her
husband Keith and their Children Graham and Kyle;
in-laws Sandra, Margaret, James, JoAnn, Robert, Edward,
Michele, Deborah and Carl; and nieces and nephews Jamie,
Justin, Allison, Jennifer, Craig, Robert, Ariana, Ryan,
Tyler, Judith, Katie, Mallorie, Thomas, Resa, and
Shannon; predeceased by mother and father-in-law Joseph
and Arlene; brother-in-laws Joseph and Thomas
Visitation will be held on Monday, March 14, 2022, from
4:00-8:00 PM at
Flynn & Son Funeral Home
in Fords, NJ. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday,
March 15, at 10:15 AM at the funeral home, followed by a
11:00 AM service at Grace Lutheran Church in Perth
Amboy. Interment will be in St. Gertrude Cemetery in
Colonia.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in David’s
memory to Good Shepherd Home where his sister Krista
lives. Donations “In memory of David Volk” can be made
online at www.goodshepherdrehab.org/donate or by check
to Good Shepherd, Development Department, 850 S. 5th
Street, Allentown, PA 18103, indicate on check donation
is for the “Rev. David & Carolyn Volk Fund”.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of David J. Volk,
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IN MEMORIAM
His friends at the Port Authority and PATH were saddened
to learn of the passing of David J. Volk.
Dave joined the agency on October 19, 2015 as PATH’s
first Safety Programs Coordinator following his
retirement in 2013 as Fire Director and Chief of
Department at the Perth Amboy Fire Department, where he
was a career service firefighter for 26 years, and
served an additional 7 years in the volunteer ranks.
Dave most recently served as the Manager of PATH’s
System Safety and Environmental Management Division,
overseeing the development and execution of programs
across the full spectrum of safety areas, including
employee and customer safety, fire protection, emergency
management, training, environmental programs,
sustainability, and hazardous materials management.
During the last two years, Dave was integral in the
implementation of COVID-19 safeguards system wide,
ensuring that PATH could effectively protect its
employees and customers while also addressing a wide
variety of other issues.
Throughout his entire career, Dave fought fires in both
the literal and figurative sense, always committed to
the well-being of others. Beyond his steadfast role on
the front-lines, he dedicated his time to teaching the
next generation of firefighters, serving as a staff
instructor at Monmouth County Fire Academy for more than
25 years.
Dave will be deeply missed by his friends and colleagues
in PATH and across the agency. He is survived by his
wife Susan Volk and daughters Brittany and Courtney.
Friends and colleagues will be received this coming
Monday, March 14, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Flynn and Son
Funeral Home, located at 23 Ford Avenue in Fords, NJ
08863.
Dave will be honored with a full firefighter’s funeral
service. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday,
March 15, starting at 10:15 a.m., at the Flynn and Son
Funeral Home in Fords. This will be followed by a church
service at 11 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, located at
600 New Brunswick Avenue, Perth Amboy, NJ 08861. The
graveside service will follow at 12:30 p.m. at St.
Gertrude Cemetery, located at 53 Inman Avenue, Colonia,
NJ 07067.
Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Dave’s
family, friends, and colleagues during this most
difficult time. Grief counseling and other support
services are available for all staff by calling the
Employee Assistance Program at 800-833-8707.
Rick Cotton
Executive Director/President, PATH Corporation
