Person:Cornelius Irwin (3)

Obituary from Albany Times-Union, June 11, 2000

IRWIN, CORNELIUS B. "NEIL", JR. GREENVILLE -- Cornelius B. (Neil) Irwin, Jr., 72 years, of RD Greenville, NY, formerly of Coxsackie, passed away at the Hospice Inn at St. Peter's Hospital on July 20, 2000, after a six-year struggle with colon cancer. He was born in Catskill on September 4, 1927, son of the late Cornelius and Emily (Quick) Irwin. Neil served his country, serving in the US Army, he was a member of the Greenville American Legion Post #291, was a former Town Assessor for the Town of Coxsackie, a member of the Coxsackie Republican Club, a former member of the Earlton Fish & Game Club, the Lamplighters, and the D.M. Hamilton Fire Co. He was also a member and past master of Ark Lodge #48 F.&A.M. past patron of Kaksakee Chapter O.E.S. and a member of the First United Methodist Church of Coxsackie. He had owned and operated the Irwin Oil Co. for 30 years, serving Albany and Greene Counties and had been a custodian for the Coxsackie School District. We'll never pass a well-groomed garden, eat a piece of fudge, rinse a potato or see a blue cotton hat without seeing his smile, hearing his voice or his laughter. His classic trademark was his smile, well known to his family, his friends, his oil business customers, the guy who shared a cold one, the guys he worked with at Coxsackie Athens Central School, a passerby, or a child. His love is the music of the hearts someday to rejoin him, Marie, the mother of his 13 children, Neil Irwin, III, Nancy Jutson, Laura Cain, Chuck Irwin, Kathy Hulbert, Carol Hansen, Merry Irwin, Wendy Downs, Jim Irwin, Tom Irwin, Tammy Cole, JoAnn Cornwell and the late Norman Irwin; his 18 grandchildren, Neil, Michael, Jason, Shana, Chrissy, Jimmy, Erik, Greg, Kelsey, Cassie, James, Nicky, Melody, Kayla, Zachary, Abby, Sarah and Becky and his six great grandchildren, Madison, Laura Lee, Tristan, Tyler, Gavin and Alexis; his brothers and sisters, Charity Mills, Royal Irwin, Robert Irwin, Katherine Dufkin, Virginia Quick, Lois Tomecek, Joy Ritter, Emily Irwin and his late twin sister, Norma Pollack and countless others who have come to know and love him through his years including his companion Flossie Diederich and Casey (their dog) what he did, he did so well. He taught us to love, to be humble and to care. He leaves behind a legacy of three H's-- Hard Work, Honor & Honesty. He was an inspiration to all. We're very proud. `You're better than all the rest. Who do we love the best? (Our Father) who's handshake was as solid as his character. Here's to you Dad.` Funeral service will be Sunday 2 p.m. from the First United Methodist Church of Coxsackie in Coxsackie, NY. Friends may call at the Cunningham Funeral Home in Greenville, on Saturday 2-5 and 7-9 p.m. As per his request cremation will be at the Albany Rural Cemetery. Those who desire may contribute in his memory to Make a Wish Foundation, Community Hospice at St. Peter's or to the Westerlo Ambulance Fund.

1. ↑ St. Peter's Hospital