GEORGE IRWIN, PORT ST. JOHN

George Matthew Irwin, 83, passed peacefully into the loving arms of our Heavenly Father at his home on Thursday, March 27, 2008 with his loving daughters by his side. He joins Wanda, his loving devoted wife of 58 years 9 months, who passed on Thursday, March 22, 2007.

He was born in New Vienna, OH, moved to Cocoa Beach, FL in August 1965, and to Port St. John, FL in 1971. He leaves behind his beloved daughters, Cynthia of Port St. John, FL and Malinda of St. Augustine, FL; brother-in-law, Harry Runyon of Enon, OH; two brothers, one sister and numerous nieces and nephews and hundreds of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Eva Irwin of New Vienna, OH; five sisters and four brothers. George, a devoted husband and father, was a Christian and member of Cocoa Beach Christian Church. He had a natural gift of training and healing ani mals and wild deer would walk up to him and he could pet bumblebees. He loved hunting morel mushrooms and his largest one was over 19 inches. He enjoyed fishing from the dock he built on the canal behind his Cocoa Beach home where he caught trout over 32 inches. George played the piano, harmonica and spoons and loved traveling and dancing with his wife, Wanda. George and his good friend, pilot and author Martin Caidin shared flying and many adventures.

He attended Rollins College and also passed on his wealth of knowledge as a master carpenter, builder and mechanic. There was nothing that he could not build or repair. He generously helped out his neighbors and everyone he knew throughout his life and never met a stranger. He was loved by all and will be sadly missed, but joyfully remembered for all his good deeds and loving friendship. George was an extremely proud member of the United States Armed Forces.

He received a letter of gratitude from President Harry S. Truman for his leadership, fortitude, resourcefulness and calm judgment in the service to his country in World War II as an U.S. Army Airborne Glider Trooper Paratrooper, Company A of the 874th Airborne Engineers and as an Engineer in the Army Corp of Engineers, in the Pacific Philippine Islands and New Guinea. George was the first one who went in to Luzon, P.I to bring about their liberation from the Japanese. George received an Honorable Discharge from the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Company SCS-42 Camp Harding, Marion Ohio and from the U.S. Army. He bravely served receiving the World War II Victory Medal, National Defense Medal, Ameri can Campaign Medal, American Defense Medal, American Theater Medal, Pacific Theater, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, Philippine Defense Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, Philippine Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, the Ruptured Duck and Purple Heart, Rifle Expert, Driver-T, Overseas War Service and numerous Ribbons. His service to his Country continued with his lifetime employment with the U.S. Government Department of Defense; where he worked on several clandestine projects at Area 51 in New Mexico, including the famous Project Blue Book and at Area C, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, OH.

He was a chemical engineer and manager in charge of the Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants (POL) Section at Patrick Air Force Base, FL; Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL; Kennedy Space Center, FL and all Down Range Activities in the islands off of FL from the 1951 Matador Missile Program up and through the end of the Apollo Space Program when he retired.

Georges cousin, Astronaut Col. James Irwin, several other Astronauts, Vice President Hubert Humphrey and other Dignitaries visited George frequently; including Astronaut Alan Shepherd who visited George at his canal front home in Cocoa Beach for fishing and relaxation. George was one of the first recipients of the Air Force Systems Command Zero Defects Program and Apollo Systems Zero Defects Program along with numerous other awards for his diligent and hard work for the U.S. Defense, National Security and Missile and Space Programs.

He was a member of the Missile, Space and Range Pioneers; 11th Airborne Div Assoc, Space Coast World War II Glider Pilots, a Colonel in the Valiant Air Command VAC Warbirds, The Ohio Grange 77 New Vienna, OH, Antique Car Club Wilmington, OH, with his original 1930 Model A Ford Deluxe Coup with Rumble Seat, Canaveral Squares and Sundancers Square Dance Clubs, Brevard County, FL. George was an active member of the Dalton Masonic Lodge 578 New Vienna, Ohio, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Valley of Cincinnati, Ohio and Shrine of North America for over 48 years. He was a member of Bahia Shrine Temple, Orlando, Azan Shrine Temple, Melbourne, North Brevard Shrine Club and Hillbilly Clan 64, Titusville, FL; Clan 78, Sarasota, FL and Clan 1, Pikeville, KY. He was the honored recipient of Hillbilly of the Year, presented the Keys to the City of Pikeville, KY and Certificate of Merit for outstanding dedication to the philanthropies of Hillbilly Clans of The Shrine of North America for his years of devotion and work, including flying and transporting burned and crippled children to the Shriners Hospitals for Children. He was the Deputy Ambassador, State of FL, for the Hillbilly Degree Imperial Clan. George was a proud Founding Member of the Veterans of Foreign War Post 10148 (VFW), Cocoa Beach, FL where he served as the first Post Chaplain. He also procured the property for this Post, getting it started from the ground up; assisted in the Charter and recruiting the first members. He is a Life Member.

You were the Best Husband and Dad Ever and it broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone. Part of us went with you when God called you home. You will be Our Angel In Heaven, Smiling down on us, never leaving us alone. We Love You So Much and are Going To Miss You Each and Every Minute of Every Day Until We Meet Again in Heaven.

The family will receive friends for Visitation, Wednesday, April 2, 2008 from 6 to 8 p.m. at North Brevard Funeral Home, Titusville, FL with Masonic Funeral Services, Thursday, April 3, 2008 at 11 a.m. at North Brevard Funeral Home. Graveside Services with sMilitary Honors will follow at Brevard Memorial Park, Frontenac, FL. Please sign Mr. Irwins guest book at www.northbrevardfune ralhome.com