Joseph Henry Irvin

Archpriest Joseph Henry Irvin

“O Lord, give rest to the soul of thy departed servant, Archpriest Joseph Henry Irvin in a place of brightness, a place of refreshment, a place of repose where all sickness, sighing and sorrow have fled away.” – from the Prayers of the Orthodox Church for the Departed

Archpriest Joseph, known to all as Fr. Joe, fell asleep in the Lord on January 13, 2021, from COVID-19. Born on October 20, 1942, to Joseph Alphonse and Naomi Ade Irvin, he is survived by his wife, Matushka Rosalie (Delphy) Irvin, his daughters Tiffany Quinn and husband Steve, Tara Filip and husband Gary, his grandchildren Ryan Quinn, wife Kendra and great granddaughter Isla; Shannon Quinn and Tim Foley; Brendan Quinn and Samantha Camardo, and his brother Mike Irvin.

Fr. Joe’s secular career was diverse and led him, eventually, to the Orthodox Church and to the Orthodox Christian priesthood. Fr. Joe joined the Orthodox Church at Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church, Norwich, CT, in 1987, and then, a few years later began his formal theological studies. During the course of those studies, Fr. Joe was ordained to the priesthood in November 1989 at St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, S. Canaan, Pennsylvania. He was a humble servant. Fr. Joe was a priest of the people, always caring for others with a sacred duty. Fr. Joe served a number of parishes in Pennsylvania and New England, and served as a supply priest in the Connecticut Deanery. Later, he cherished his many years as a retired priest attached to All Saints Orthodox Church, Hartford CT. He was humbled and honored to serve as a priest in the Orthodox Church of America.

Fr. Joe spent his younger years traveling the world in a military family. As a Coast Guard Academy cadet, he learned to love the sea. He raised his young family in Niantic, CT, where sailing, seagulls, and the ocean were never far away. While in Niantic, the family met Holly, their first St. Bernard. Fr. Joe carried that love with him throughout the rest of his life and was never without a St. Bernard dog again.

Fr. Joe loved road trips with his family- they usually got lost- but the trips always ended with an adventure. He was fiercely proud of his daughters and grandchildren. He will be remembered for his mischievous grin, the twinkle in his eye, his contemplative thoughts, and everlasting presence in the deepest part of our hearts.

After 56 years of marriage, the only thing that could keep Fr. Joe and Matushka apart was COVID-19.

“Memory Eternal, dear Husband. Your Matushka”

Due to the health concerns with COVID-19, Archpriest Joseph’s funeral and burial will take place humbly, in a limited way. Several priests have been assigned to serve the funeral service, and attendance will be limited to closest family and friends. We look forward to a future gathering with all those that held a special place in Fr. Joe’s life, when it becomes safe to do so. For those who wish to pray at Fr. Joe’s gravesite, it is noted that his burial will take place in Parish Cemetery of Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church, Norwich, CT.

Memorial donations in honor of Fr. Joseph H. Irvin can be sent to: All Saints Orthodox Church, 205 Scarborough St, Hartford, CT 06105. Thank you for remembering and praying for Fr. Joe.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.