Iris Horace Cormier, Jr.

Iris Cormier Jr., known to most as Junior (Jr), made his transition to eternal rest on May 1, 2024, in Indian Head, Maryland.



Jr, the oldest of seven children, was born in Houston, Texas on December 2, 1936 to the late Catherine Gaddis Cormier and Iris Cormier, Sr. He was raised in Newark, New Jersey by his mother and stepfather, Mason George.



At the age of seventeen, Jr enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving on the USS Yosemite AD - 19, and served with distinction for twenty years. After retiring from the Navy, Jr began a second career as police officer at the Military Ocean Terminal in Bayonne, New Jersey and remained there until 1999 when he retired.



Jr was undeniably a social being; he enjoyed and thrived on being around people. This was evidenced by the forty years that he was a devoted and loyal member of the Faith Fellowship Ministries in Sayreville, New Jersey. Not only was he a dedicated member, but he was also employed as a member of the church's security team. His most profound and defining role at Faith Fellowship was that of friend, confidant, and mentor to many of its parishioners. As mentor, Jr provided support and encouragement to congregants and had a positive impact on the lives of many. Jr would listen and help, in whatever way needed. Many members of Faith Fellowship have attributed their personal growth to their guidance from and interactions with Jr. For Jr, his involvement with Faith Fellowship gave him a sense of purpose and brought him joy and a sense of fulfillment. After relocating to Perth Amboy, New Jersey in 2019, Jr became an active member of Abundant Life Worship Center, where he attended faithfully until 2022.

Although Jr had a passion for journaling, traveling and photography, Jr was most defined by two overarching loves: his love of people and his love of food. Jr's outgoing personality earned him the well-earned reputation as a social butterfly. He was the life of the party and enjoyed being with people. If there was a party, Jr would be there, whether he was invited or not. As much as Jr loved helping and supporting members of his church and socializing, he loved food. He had been spoiled by good home-cooking, as his mother had superior cooking skills and Jr loved to eat, and loved attending family gatherings, especially barbeques. Jr's personal cooking could best be described as "creative." He had an aversion to wasting food and would make his (in)famous "Goulash." Whatever leftovers were in his refrigerator and passed the smell test were tossed into a large pot and miraculously you had Jr's "Goulash". More often than not, the "Goulash" was surprisingly tasty and when it wasn't, it was a disaster.



Once when stationed in Indian Head, Maryland, Jr met Martha Chase. Jr and Martha were married in June 1957 and from that union nine children were born, eight of whom lived to adulthood. Jr's naval career provided the family with the opportunity to live in various states on the East Coast, including Florida, Virginia, Maryland, and New Jersey.



Jr was preceded in death by his wife, Martha, infant daughter, Jennifer, parents, Iris Cormier, Sr and Catherine Cormier George, stepfather, Mason George, brothers, Willie, aka Tootsie, Cormier, Reginald George, Sr, Allen George, Butch Cormier, and sisters Katie Laverne (Mickey) George and Jacqueline Ragin.



Leaving to cherish his memory are children Bernadette (Tyrone) Savoy, Iris Cormier III, Andre Martin Cormier, Yolanda Cormier, Ricardo Martin Cormier, Yvette Cormier, Nathan Cormier, Michele Cormier-Parker, Rhonda Cormier, Sean Cormier, brothers Lance George Sr, Thaddeus Cormier sister Iris Kay Cormier, and brother-in-law Roland Chase Sr (Audrey), twenty grandchildren, twenty-seven great grandchildren, nine great-great grandchildren, longtime friend Howard (Bootie) Fletcher, Goddaughter/niece Camille Ragin and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and colleagues.