Russel E. "Sandy" Irwin

IRWIN,
Russel E.
"Sandy"

1935 - 2011

Russel E. "Sandy" Irwin passed away peacefully on Nov. 24, 2011 after a short illness. "Sandy" (as his friends and family called him) was born on March 20, 1935, the son of Russel and Peggy Irwin. He grew-up in the small town of Rosalia, just outside of Spokane WA. He lived in the train depot where is father was the depot agent for Northern Pacific Railroad. Sandy had very fond memories of his childhood in Rosalia, and he visited there frequently. When his father passed away in 1948, Sandy and his mother moved to Spokane WA.,where he attended Lewis and Clark High school and graduated in 1953. He then attended Washington State University, majoring in music. He remained a faithful fan of the WSU Cougars. Sandy entered into the USANG Reserves in 1953 and then enlisted in the navy in 1960. Sandy worked as a dispatcher for the Ventura County Sheriff's dept. for 32 years and retired in March of 1997.
Sandy loved his trains and collected train memorabilia, model trains, and anything train related, and he loved to watch and ride on the steam trains. He also loved his music and his old time radio shows. Music from the "big band" era was his passion, especially Frank Sinatra. He was a very talented musician himself, He wrote some of his own music and played the piano and trumpet most of his life.
One of Sandy's favorite things to do was to travel with his wife Judy in their RV. Together they traveled all over the United States. Sometimes with groups of friends, and sometimes just the two of them. Either way, he always enjoyed being "on the road". He was a big Los Angeles Dodger fan and traveled often to the training camp at Camelback stadium in Arizona, as well as attending many home games. When the trip was over, he was happy to be relaxing at home too.
In addition to his beloved wife Judy, Sandy is survived by his daughter Jennifer Burell, and son-in-law James Christopher (Chris) Burell; Grandchildren James Cameron Burell and Keira Cathrine Burell; step-children; Cindie and her husband George Wilke, Scott and his wife Sue Collis, Craig Collis and Stuart Collis; five step-grand- children; sister-in-law Dorothy Irwin; His niece Linda and her husband Jorge Santaularia; His nephew Greg and his wife Gigi Irwin and their children Lindsey and Brandon.
A memorial service will be planned for Sandy after the first of the year. Sandy will be spending the foreseeable future with one of his most prizes possessions, his model train set.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Sandy's name to the VCMC Auxiliary, 329 Loma Vista Rd., Ventura, CA 93003. And please make a note with your donation that it is designated for the Santa Paula Hospital.
To sign the family's online guestbook, share stories and post pictures please visit our website:www.mysantapaulafuneralhome.com and click on Sandy's name located below "Recent Obituaries".
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Family Owned and Operated Robert Rey Garcia Jr. Funeral Svcs., Santa Paula, CA 805.229.7054