Albert J. Irvin, Sr. First Sergeant Retired, U.S. Army, 73, of Pittston, passed away Wednesday, August 23, 2017, in Celtic Hospice Inpatient Unit, Wilkes-Barre, surrounded by his wife and sister-in-law, Rie.
The son of the late John and Anna Levashauskas Irvin, Al was born on February 28, 1944 in Frackville, PA. He was a graduate of Frackville High School. Al was a proud veteran of the United States Army, having served his country for 24 years, retiring December 31, 1991. Twelve of the 24 years was spent on the United States Army Recruiting Command, starting off in Wilkes-Barre with the Harrisburg Battalion, then moving on to Wareham, Massachusetts, with the Boston Battalion, then across the country to Eugene, Oregon, with the Portland Battalion, followed by San Diego, California with the San Diego Battalion, and then back to the Harrisburg Battalion, stationed in Palmyra, PA.
Al married Ann Mullins of Pittston on July 2, 1983 in St. John the Evangelist Church, Pittston, by the Reverend Louis Kaminski. He was accepted into the Sergeants Major Academy, Fort Bliss, Texas, however, with a five year old son and a 9 month son at home, he decided to retire and move everyone to Pittston, his wife's hometown. After retirement, Al worked for The Times Leader, drove minibus for Luzerne County Head Start, drove a school van for Jimmy Connors with Reliable Transportation, and bar tended.
He was a John Wayne fan and diehard Phillies and Eagles fan, and liked listening to Froggy 101.
Preceding him in death, besides his parents, were his son, AJ Irvin, on April 25, 2017, brother William Irvin, Lt. Col., Retired, U.S. Air Force, and, sister, Ann Caton. Surviving besides his wife, Ann, are sons Shawn, Cherry Hill, NJ and Danny, at home; sisters, Peggy Subick, Girardville, Mary Kullen, and, Blanche Mervine, both of Frackville, brother, Jack Irvin, Gordon. Also surviving are Al's brother-in-law, Patrick Mullins, and his wife Mary Jean, Kingston Township, sister-in-law, Rose Marie Marselles, and her husband, Richard, Laflin, as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. The Irvin family would like to thank Dr. Gerald P. Gibbons for his tireless efforts in treating Al, and also to the nursing staff at Celtic Hospice for their exceptional care. The family will receive friends and relatives in Adonizio Funeral Home, LLC, 251 William Street, Pittston on Sunday, August 27, 2017 from 4pm-7pm and Monday, August 28, 2017 from 9am–10am followed by a Blessing Service at 10am with Father Joseph, Elston presiding. Interment with full military honors will follow in St. John the Evangelist Cemetery, Pittston.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to The Toy and Book Corner Ministry of St. John the Evangelist Church.