Joseph E. Irving

Joseph E. Irving, longtime resident of Norwood, passed away peacefully on August 4, 2018. He was 90. Raised in Canton, he married the love of his life, the late Rita (Kelly) Irving, in 1951. After serving in the Korean War, he returned to Norwood where he and Rita raised three daughters in their boisterous, warmth-filled home on Pleasant St. A deeply loving and compassionate husband, father, grandfather and friend, he was known for his kindness, and ability to host one heck of a poker game. He will be remembered by his family and friends as a gentleman and a role model.

He is survived by his daughters Donna Nolfi and her husband Philip of Canton, Denise DeStefano and her husband Joseph of Attleboro, and Dianne Dickson of Attleboro. He is also survived by his grandchildren Joseph Dickson and his husband John Livingston, Kevin Dickson and his wife Megan, David DeStefano and his wife Kristy, Dianne DeStefano and Joseph DeStefano. In his final days, he often remembered his sisters the late Margaret Anderson and Marion Keelan, and his in-laws Gerard Anderson and the late John Kelly, Sister Irene Kelly, and William Kelly.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:00 am on Thursday, August 9 at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 547 Washington Street, Norwood. All guests, please go directly to the church. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery, Norwood. Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, August 8, from 4:00-8:00 pm at Gillooly Funeral Home, 126 Walpole Street, Norwood.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hope Hospice, 1085 North Main St., Providence, RI 02904 or online at www.hopehealthco.org.