James Arthur Irwin

SKOWHEGAN – Heaven must have needed another angel because on July 26, 2024, James Arthur Irwin passed away unexpectedly with his family by his side.

James was born on Oct. 7, 1948, in Harmony, Maine to Donald and Lois Irwin. He attended Skowhegan schools and then joined the army where he fought in the Vietnam War.

When he returned from the war he worked in a factory where he met the love of his life, Mary Jo Irwin. He then got hired at Sappi where he worked for 45 years and finally retired at 71.

It’s hard to put into words how much he meant to so many people. He was always cracking jokes to make people laugh and would go out of his way to help anyone who needed it.

Jim was a hard worker that always had a project going. When he wasn’t working on something around the house you could find him sitting in his chair in the barn drinking Bud Light and listening to music. He always tried to make people believe he was a grumpy, stubborn old man. While there were times he was grumpy, and he was always stubborn, he had a heart of gold.

His family meant everything to him. He loved spending time with his grandkids and great grandkids, but he was most content in the evenings when it was just him, Mary Jo and his dog Felix sitting on the couch watching TV

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Mary Jo Irwin; his children, Michael Irwin and wife Nicole, Aaron Irwin and wife Erin, and Jamie Adams and husband Mike; his grandchildren Kayla and Tyler Adams, Arya Irwin and Eddie Irwin and Kelsey Closson; his great grandchildren, Braelynn Whittemore, Gunnar Martin, Harper and Arthur Adams; brothers, Larry, Fred and Richard Irwin; his dog Felix; and many nieces and nephews.

Per his wishes there will be no funeral. A graveside service will be held August 24 at 2 p.m. for family and close friends at Mount Rest Cemetery in Athens