John A. Irvine

John Irvine of Cuyahoga Falls, OH died on August 31, 2025, of complications from Alzheimer’s and a stroke. A retiree from Summit DD, He was 86 years old. Born in Cleveland on July 26, 1939, he grew up in Cleveland and Parma. The family had a German foreign exchange student, Fred Reichert, so John took his first trip to Europe at 16 to travel with Fred.

He graduated from Brecksville High. He earned a degree in forestry at Penn State. His best memories there included being the manager of the famed Nittany Lions football team. He spent a short time managing construction on Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Leaving there, he was superintendent of Akron parks. In the 1960s, he served in the U.S. Coast Guard on the ship Sassafras out of Cape May. For several years he helped manage Downview Sports Center with owner Don Arnold.

Retirement did not slow him down. He took up beekeeping and was president of the Summit County Bee Club. He especially liked describing bee culture to youngsters, giving many presentations in schools. Neighbors were lucky recipients of honey harvested from his hives.

John was an ace volunteer as well, logging hundreds of hours at Metro Parks and CVNP. With his brother, Glenn, he was an avid sailor and each summer they set off on sailing adventures in Europe and along the Atlantic coast. The brothers sailed with Marcel Perron of France who owned a sailboat.

John leaves his wife of 43 years, Mary Rebecca, and daughter, Heather Irvine of Ithaca, NY. He was a great dad. In laws, Linda Ball and Mike Hardert of NH, Betty and Pete Schindler of Akron; sister-in-law Ginger Irvine and London family - Alex Irvine, Jennifer Nanton and her children, Kobi and Ella; John’s cousin Chuck Chaney and wife Sue of Rocky River; family friend, Elesa Riley of Green. His brother Glenn preceded him in death.

John enjoyed trips to nearby monasteries where once he tried to assist in the commercial bakery. It was more of a Lucy episode as the loaves came too fast to bag!

There will be no calling hours and internment is private. You can honor John’s memory by planting a tree. One of his favorite things to do.

Thanks to Western Reserve Hospital and Hospice for TLC. Also, to Dr. Pinta who said John was one of his happiest patients. He will be greatly missed.

Services in care of the Billow Funeral Homes and Crematory, Falls Memorial Chapel, 1907 23rd St., Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223.