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SANDYSTON - Donald J. Irwin, 88, of Sandyston, died Friday, June 29, 2018, at Karen Ann Quinlan Home for Hospice in Fredon.
Born in Jersey City and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., and Jersey City, Donald lived in Westwood before moving to Sandyston in 1968. He was a United States Marine Corps veteran, proudly serving during the Korean conflict from 1951 to 1954, attaining the rank of sergeant. He was awarded a letter of commendation for his heroic action against Chinese Communist forces in Korea. He was also a recipient of the Purple Heart and was a life member in the military order of the Purple Heart. Donald was a vice president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1202 in New York City. He was a bus driver for Greyhound Lines of New York City from 1954 until his retirement in 1999. Following his retirement, he enjoyed working part-time delivering auto parts for Intercar Mercedes Benz/Sussex Honda.
A member of Marine Corps League No. 747 in Sussex, Donald was also a member of the VFW of Sussex No. 10144. He placed flags on the graves of veterans in the Montague, Sandyston and Walpack cemeteries for many years. Donald actively participated in collection and distribution for more than 25 years for the Toys for Tots program.
The son of the late Walter P. and Dorothy (Muldoon) Irwin, Donald was also predeceased by his son, Scott J. Irwin, in 2014; his grandson, Kevin Irwin; and his sister, Muriel Irwin. He is survived by his wife, Joan M. Irwin, whom he married on July 13, 1954; his children, Donald G. Irwin and wife, Patricia, of Shohola, Pa., Thomas Irwin and wife, Eileen, of Canadensis, Pa., and Joan L. Gerth and husband, Charlie, of Sandyston; as well as his brother, Walter Irwin and wife, Julie, of Succasunna. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Daniel, Gregory, Christopher and Stephen Irwin, and Graig, Kyle, Carly and Corey Gerth; two great-grandchildren; and three nephews.
Funeral services will be held at noon on Friday, July 6, at the Wood Funeral Home, 16 Main St., Branchville. Interment with military honors will follow in Hainesville Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 99 Sparta Ave., Newton, NJ 07860 or Blue Ridge Rescue Squad, PO Box 232, Branchville, NJ 07826.
Online condolences may be offered at www.woodfuneralhome.net.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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3 Entries
Please accept our deepest sympathies.
Tereasa Utter
July 5, 2018
Please accept our deepest sympathies, Bertram Torstrup and family
July 2, 2018
RIP Uncle Donald, You will be missed..
John Irwin
July 1, 2018
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Wood Funeral Home - Branchville16 Main Street, Branchville, NJ 07826
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