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Memorial Keepers (1)

Beers and Story - Belchertown

Robert "Grumpy" F. Irwin

December 30th, 1922 - February 23rd, 2017

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"Belchertown - Robert F. Irwin, Sr. aka "Grumpy," 94, passed away on February 23, 2017 in the Holyoke Soldiers' Home. He was born December 30, 1922 in Pelham, MA, son of Harold M. and Elizabeth C. (Dudley) Irwin. Robert was a Veteran of World War II, having flown 34 missions as a B-17 tail gunner with the 381st Bombardment Group. He was called into active duty in 1961 to Libya and in 1962 to Phalsbourg Air Force Base in France where he served with the 102nd Tactical Fighter Wing on the front line of defense during the Berlin Crisis. He was a Senior Master Sergeant with the 104th Tactical Fighter Group where he proudly served full-time in the Air National Guard for 35 years at Barnes Airport. He was awarded many medals, most notably the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Purple Heart. Robert lived in Florence and Hatfield for many years before moving to Belchertown in 2012. He was known as a happy person who enjoyed golf, bowling, playing cards, singing and spending time with his children and grandchildren, taking them to Look Park, attending school sporting events and cherishing time with them outdoors. He also loved his many great grandchildren with whom he had great fun singing and playing hide and seek both before and after he entered the Holyoke Soldiers' Home in July. He is survived and will be missed by three sons, Robert F. Irwin, Jr. and wife Gail of Wells, ME, Michael Irwin and wife Sharon of Easthampton, William Irwin of Key West, FL and a daughter, Laura Bishop and husband Robert of Belchertown. He will also be missed by his grandchildren, Lisa, Shelley, Christopher, Katrina, Heather and Scott and great-grandchildren, Julia, Jonathan, Kevin, William, Jacob, Trevor, Ryan, Courtney, Brayden, Devan and Ravi. Robert was preceded in death by his wife Beatrice and a brother, Dudley Irwin. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, March 3rd at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis Church. Burial will follow at 2:15 p.m at the Bourne National Veteran Cemetery. Calling hours are omitted and Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements. Donations may be made in his honor to Bright Spot Therapy Dogs P.O. Box 132, Leeds, MA 01053, or to the Friends of the Holyoke Soldiers' Home, c/o Recreation Department, 110 Cherry St., Holyoke, MA 01040, or to Hospice Life Care, 575 Beech St., Holyoke, MA 01040. "

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Beers and Story - Belchertown

Beers and Story - Belchertown

Beers and Story has proudly served our Western Mass community since the early 1900s, when Bert Beers first opened our doors. Three generations later, we are still committed to helping families in Belchertown plan funeral and cremation services to help honor their loved ones. We provide compassionate and professional care to every family that walks through our doors. You can count on us to take care of you....

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(413) 203-4340

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