" Reg" Regis Francis Irwin, was born on 1/29/1925 died on Wednesday, 3/23/2022,  age 97, at Heart to Heart Hospice in Houston, TX.  Regis was the oldest of five sons born to the late David Crawford Irwin, Sr. and Mary Ellen (Shay) Irwin of Altoona, Pennsylvania. "Reg" is survived by his youngest brother Robert Irwin (Carol). He was predeceased by 3 brothers David Crawford Irwin Jr., (Dorothy); "Joe," Joseph Irwin; (Charlotte), and "Jack," John Irwin.

His wife of 55 years, Donna Fleur (Moore) predeceased him on November 16, 2000 in Spring, TX. They were the parents of 10 children:  "Frankie," Helen Frances Greise (Dave;), Michael Francis Irwin, deceased September 27, 2021 (Sandy) Mary Ellen Kocopi (Harry); Regina Ann Mollere (Ray Mollere,dec.) O'Connor; Dale Vincent Irwin (Tricia;) Carol Lee Muller, deceased January 26, 2011 (Ed,dec.) "Bobbie," Roberta Marie Moles("Mickey";) "Sharie," Sharon Louise Heras; "Rick," Regis Francis Irwin (Tami); and "Pat," Patrick William Irwin( Laura.) They had 24 grandchildren,  45 great Grandchildren, 5 great, great grandchildren.  Four grandchildren have predeceased Regis, they are: Josh Irwin, Janine Mollere, Sean Kocopi and David F. Greise.

Regis was a 1942 graduate of Altoona High school, attended electronics school in Chicago, Illinois and was an honorably discharged Navy veteran and served as a radioman in World War II.  He was stationed at the Banana River Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, FL where he participated in the search for the navy planes which disappeared in the infamous Bermuda Triangle.

"Reg" like his father and grandfather, originally worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad in Altoona, PA.  He was hired by International Correspondence Schools and was named one of the top 100 salesmen nationally for many years.  ICS provided apprenticeship programs prior to the inception of the Community College system in the surrounding Altoona, PA, Cumberland, MD and West Virginia areas.  He later became a top salesman for Joseph Cram Company in Baltimore, MD which provided Maps and Globes to schools all over the Baltimore and Anne Arundel County areas.

In his 70's Regis played volleyball with his family, at his 80th birthday Regis played a family softball game and hit a ball over his son's heads and ran to second base and on to score a home run.   On his 90th. birthday he joined in the Cupid Shuffle line dance his family performed for him and on his 95th. he regaled us with stories of our past and reminisced on his full life.

Regis was a man of great faith, prayed daily but unfortunately was unable to attend St. James Catholic Church in the last few years, due to ill health.

Regis played the keyboard for many monthly Springtimer's functions for a number of years and enjoyed entertaining fellow parishioners at the monthly dinners.  He also enjoyed playing cards with friends at the church social hall. Regis loved baseball and played for the Altoona City Recreation League as a young adult in Altoona, PA. He was an avid fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Baltimore Orioles, and the Houston Astros.

Regis is being cremated and a celebration of his life may be planned at a later date.  He will be interred beside his wife Donna at Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Houston TX.  Masses in his honor are being offered at St. James Catholic Church on May 14, at 5p.m. and June 23, 2022 at 8:00a.m.  Donations may be given to your favorite charity in his honor.