Eugene C. Irvine

Waltham – Mr. Eugene C. 'Gene' Irvine, of Waltham, died Monday, February 4, 2013 at Saint Elizabeth's Medical Center in Brighton. He was 80. Gene was born in Malden on October 30, 1932, a son of the late John T. and Bernice J. (Papkee) Irvine. He was raised in Malden before his family moved to Somerville. He was a graduate of Matignon High School in Cambridge. After high school Gene joined the United States Marine Corps, serving during the Korean War. During his time as an enlisted man he earned the rank of sergeant and was later sent to Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia. Gene became a 'Mustang' the name given to Marine officers who began their careers in the ranks. In 1955 he was discharged as a first lieutenant after having served as an infantry commander and battalion adjutant of the 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment of the 2nd Marine Division. During his time in the Marine Corps he met his future bride, Roxbury native Mary Lyons, who was serving as a lieutenant at the United States Naval Hospital at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. They married on February 5, 1955 at Saint Patrick's Church in Roxbury. Four years later they moved to Waltham where they raised their family and have been residents since. He was a graduate of Northeastern University in Boston and the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey. Gene later earned a master's degree in business administration from Babson College in Wellesley. Until his retirement he worked as a vice-president and deputy auditor for Shawmut Bank in Boston. He also taught data processing courses for a number of years at Bentley College in Waltham and at Middlesex Community College. Gene was a former member of the PFC John M. Sullivan USMC Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 10334 in Waltham, the Marine Mustang Association, the Marine Corps League and the Navy League of the United States. He was also a charter member of the United States Navy Memorial and the World War II Memorial Society, both in Washington, D.C. He had also been a member of long standing on the Parish Council of Saint Mary's Church in Waltham and the Friends of the Reagle Players in Waltham. In addition to his wife of fifty-eight years, Mary E. (Lyons) Irvine, he leaves his children, Cmdr. Glenn M. Irvine USN (Ret.) and his wife, Marina, of San Diego, California, Keith T. Irvine and his wife, Mary, of Waltham, Eugene C. Irvine, Jr., and his wife, Joan, of Plymouth, Paul F. Irvine and his wife, Mary, of Franklin, Gregory J. Irvine and his wife, Diane, of Northborough and Robert W. Irvine and his wife, Lisa, of Waltham; 12 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Gene was also the brother of the late John E. Irvine. Family and friends will honor and remember Gene's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Thursday, February 7th from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Friday morning before leaving in procession to Sacred Heart Church, 311 River Street, Waltham where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham. Memorial donations may be made to the Fisher House Boston, P.O. Box 230, South Walpole, MA 02071.