Arthur Irving
Surviving is his wife, Rita W. Irving of Friendship, WI; one daughter, Martha (Vince) Cicchini of Okeechobee, Fl.; three sons; Jerry (Jann McGinnis) Irving of Chandler, AZ.; Mark (Patti) Irving and Mike (Marilyn) Irving of Kenosha; his grandchildren; Cody Irving; Donna (Mike) Komarec; Tony and Gino (Michelle) Cicchini; Jenny (Nathan) Desotell; Amy (Liang Huang) Irving; Katie Irving; his great grandchildren; Cory, Kayla, Jamison, Andrew and Adrianna. Art was preceded in death by his parents and 2 sisters, Marguerite Halmo and Rose Mary Sikora.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests masses be said.
Funeral service will be 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 17th, 2014 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Friendship, Wisconsin. Father James P. McNamee will officiate. Friends may call at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Saturday from 11:30 a.m. until the time of service.
Interment will be 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 20th, 2014 at All Saints Cemetery, Kenosha, WI.
Aunt Rita and Family,
I am very sorry for the late note. My deepest sympathies go out to you all.
I was in Cornwall U.K. last Sunday. I was just going to bed when I received a text about our uncle Art. It had rained all day and the sky had just cleared to reveal a beautiful star filled night. I walked outside and stared out at the ocean and sky and remembered the man. Husband, Brother, Father and Uncle. A man who always was on a mission following his dreams and making them reality.
Richard and I hope to see you this Tuesday. Peace.
Rita and family you have our deepest sympathies..
I was in Northern Wisconsin this past weekend when I heard of Uncle Art’s passing. The news unleashed a flood of memories from childhood, recollections of the times our families spent together in the Wisconsin woods camping. We spent many nights listening to stories around the fire, usually Art’s, or mornings out fishing on Lost Lake in search of giant muskies with Art’s instruction and probably some of his equipment. I recalled him collecting lichins in the woods to paint up for his model railroad display at home. In my memory I heard his voice optimistically repeating “Yup, it’s breaking up.” as he gazed into the swirling clouds during a rainy week at Thor’s retreat. That phrase remained a punch line in our family for decades, representing eternal hope in the face of utter despair.
To my kid self, his model railroad table was the greatest, a miniature world where everything was perfect and in its correct place.
I always admired the wall mural of Lake Michigan he painted on the basement wall, complete with white caps and boats of all description.
Then there was the wooden kayak he built that refused to float in upright orientation. I’m not sure I ever even saw the boat but it was part of the family mythology and in my mind’s eye I could see him in it rolling over in Lake Michigan. There was the dogsled he built during the scouting years. None of us had dogs capable of pulling such a thing. And the plywood camping trailer that cranked up to standing height. He was always making something. Something wonderful it seemed.
Finally, I remember that cackle of a laugh. In my earliest memories he was always a good-natured and happy guy. Although I am sure that was not always the case, that in the end was my lasting impression of Uncle Art. I miss him now but also realize that his big, joyful personality lives on vividly in our memories.
I have so many fond memories of Uncle Art from my childhood. I loved the fact that we all lived on the next block from each other. Gave us the opportunity to be together often. I remember the model railroads. I was so fascinated when I was a child. And other stories & memories pop into my head. Too many to write about. When I was young, I remember I would hear the stories about Mom’s, Aunt “Moe’s’ & Uncle Art’s childhoods & their growing up days. And I can only assume the three of them are together again trying to get mom eat her mud pies.
May God bless you and give you peace as he has Uncle Art. I am going to go “Sunnyside” and toast a wonderful man!