Harold Irish Sr.

APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA — Harold L. “Pete” Irish Sr., 87, formerly of Augusta, died Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014, at the Veterans Administration Medical and Regional Office Center at Togus, following a long illness.
He was born in Sebago on May 14, 1927, a son of the late Harry and Beulah (Fitch) Irish. Mr. Irish was a graduate of Potter Academy in Sebago, and he attended many clinics and courses on landscaping throughout the years. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving during World War II.
Mr. Irish had worked for the Veterans Administration at Togus for over 20 years. He then became the first Superintendent of the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Augusta, a position he held for many years. Following his work at the cemetery, he dedicated his time to his landscaping business, Irish Landscape Service. He started the business in the 1960s and he worked there until his retirement, receiving several awards for landscaping and community service. Mr. Irish sold his landscaping business in 2011, and moved to Arizona to enjoy his retirement years.
He was a communicant of St. Michael Parish in the Augusta area, and was a member of the American Legion.
Mr. Irish was predeceased by his wife, Evelyn (Martin) Irish; a son, Harold L. Irish Jr. as well as seven brothers and sisters.
He is survived by a son, Daniel Irish of Randolph; four daughters: Ivy Cheney of Gardiner, Candice Nolin of Kerrville, Texas, Susan Smith and her husband, Greg of Apache Junction, Ariz., and Missy Westbrook and her husband, Devin of Brooksville, Fla.; eleven grandchildren: Betty Jo Beaudoin Pomerleau, Cassidy Paulson, Iva Young, Jeremy Nolin, Keri Nolin, Aaron Bridgham, Jonathan Bridgham, Nathan Libby, Kaitlin Libby, Randall Irish and Alicia Courtney; 10 great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
At his request, there will be no public visiting hours. Following cremation, a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, Jan. 30. at 11 a.m., at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, Western Ave., Augusta. Committal prayers will follow in the chapel at the new Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Mt. Vernon Rd., Augusta. Burial will be this spring in the old Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Civic Center Dr., Augusta. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Irish’s memory may be made to: Nine Line Foundation, http://org.grouprev.com/haroldirish
Arrangements are under the direction of Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta, Maine. Condolences, photos and memories may be shared at www.plummerfh.com