LOWELL--Henry F. Kirwin, 78, a member of a prominent Lowell family, died after a brief illness, on Saturday, August 13, 2005. He was married to G. Beverly (Clark) Kirwin, with whom he recently celebrated their Fifty Fourth Wedding Anniversary.
Born December 21, 1926, in Lowell, he was a son of the late Patrick J. and the late Agnes E. (Meehan) Kirwin, and was a graduate of the Sacred Heart School, Keith Academy and the New England Institute of Embalming.
A Veteran of World War II, Mr. Kirwin was a Hospital Apprentice 2nd Class (USNR) serving in the Asiatic and Pacific Theaters with the United States Navy, on the USS Benevolence and the USS Yosemite. He was honorably discharged after serving from 1944-1946.
At the early age of 16, Henry began the career he so loved in the family funeral business. He later became co-owner and Treasurer of that business, Meehan and Kirwin Funeral Home 390 Pawtucket St. in Lowell. For many years, he was also associated with the Pappas Funeral Home on Cross St. in Lowell.
Born and raised in the Sacred Heart Parish; he was also a longtime Belvidere resident. Mr. Kirwin was a communicant of the Immaculate Conception Church, where he was a former member of the 1800 Club and the Holy Name Society. He was also a former member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Oblate Mission Club, the Clover Club and Longmeadow Golf Club.
Henry was an avid golfer and dedicated sports fan, especially to the Boston Red Sox and the Boston Bruins.
Besides his wife, he is survived by four children and their spouses, Patrick J. and his wife, Brenda, of Kensington, New Hampshire, Judith A. Williams and her husband, James B. Williams, Donna E. Kirwin, and Sharon B. Kirwin and her fiancé Kenneth Hood all of Lowell as well as five grandchildren Matthew C. Kirwin, Sara E. Kirwin, Emily C. Williams, Rachael A. Williams and Margaret “Maggie” Hood, all of Lowell. He is also survived by his sisters- in-law Marie E. Kirwin and Pauline A. Keefe of Lowell, a brother-in-law, Amelio Cucinelli of Beverly, many cousins, including the Rev. George F. Kirwin, OMI of Buffalo, New York and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
He was the youngest and last survivor of nine children, the brother of the late Rev. William J. Kirwin, O.M.I., John F Kirwin, James J. Kirwin, Margaret L. Handley, Ellen J. Cucinelli, Mary P. Kirwin, Agnes T. Collins, and his twin sister, Jane A. Stanton.
He was also the brother-in-law of the late G. Phyllis Kokinos and Marylou Clark, James L. Handley, C. Richard Stanton and Cornelius B. Collins.
Friends may call from 2 until 4 and 7 until 9 PM, Tuesday, August 16th, at the MAHONEY FUNERAL HOME, 187 Nesmith Street, (Rte.38). Relatives and Friends are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral and Mass, Wednesday, August 17, at 11 AM at the IMMACULATE CONCEPTINON CHURCH. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery Tewksbury.