Alvah S. Irish

Alvah S. 'Al' Irish, 61
NORTH YARMOUTH -- Alvah S. 'Al' Irish, 61, of Pinehurst Road, died on Friday, May 13, 2011, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice with his family by his side after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
He was born in Portland, the son of Millard and Mary Jane Armstrong Irish. He attended Gorham schools graduating from Gorham High School, class of 1967, and also was a graduate with a degree in mechanical engineering from Southern Maine Community College, South Portland.
Mr. Irish was employed for 35 years for the former S.D. Warren Paper Company now Sappi Paper until his illness.
He had a great love for landscaping and he enjoyed the serenity of the outdoors. His family stated 'Al was well versed when it came to recognizing many variety of plants, scrubs, flowers and trees. It was truly a gift he developed over the years.'
He also had a great interest in working on automobiles, especially Corvettes; they were his favorite. He was a devoted husband and father spending time with his family.
Besides his wife of 34 years, Nancy (Rolerson) Irish of North Yarmouth; he leaves his mother of Westbrook; two sons, Ryan and his wife Chelsea Irish of Casco, who are expecting their first child in October, Shaun and his wife Christina Irish of Bluffton, S.C.; two sisters, Jill and her husband Kenneth Pease of Westbrook, Jane and her husband Keith Meggison of Gorham; and one grandchild.
A celebration of Al's life will be held on Tuesday, May 17, 2011, at 7 p.m., at Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland, with the Rev. Philip Shearman officiating. Interment will be private. Please visit www.jonesrichandhutchins.com for additional information and to sign Al's guestbook.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to:
The American Cancer Society
New England Division
One Bowdoin Mill Island
Topsham, Maine 04086
Jones, Rich & Hutchins
Funeral Home & Cremation Service
775-3763