Innocence, a sense of humor and play, an endless imagination and awe at the simplest of things were all traits he himself never outgrew. Whether wearing a Mickey Mouse tie to an important business meeting or taking delight in puzzles, games or silly songs, Irv’s greatest gift was seeing the child in everyone.

A long-time resident of Dartmouth, he was the beloved husband for sixty-six years to Ronni (Salkowitz), father of Sherry (Elliot Mazza) of Boston, Paul (Teri Bernert) of Dartmouth, Mark (Jennifer Schipper) of Toronto and Ricki (Jim Piva) of Dartmouth. Brother-in-law to Jane and Don Seiden. Popopop to Sasha Girouard (Liam), Alex Mazza (Leah), Philip Krause Schmidt (Randy), Olivia Krause, Anya Krause, Emma Krause, Henry Krause, Madison Piva, Riley Piva and Logan Piva. Uncle to Michael Seiden (Andrea) and Beth Seidenfrau.Great grandfather to Jackson, Ella and Tilly. Great uncle to Hudson, Levi and Patricia. Cherished, lifelong friend to Herbert and Shirley Gould.

Irv received his PhD (NYU) in mechanical engineering, taught at Fairleigh Dickinson University, worked many years in industry (including at the Acushnet Company) before becoming a manufacturing consultant and retiring as a partner at Price Waterhouse Coopers.

He served as a docent at the Boston Museum of Science, was Board President at the New Bedford Jewish Convalescent Home and taught math at the Bristol County Jail and House of Correction. His love of teaching found full expression when he volunteered in the Dartmouth public schools, helping teach kids science and mechanics. While he loved designing playful and novel experiments, watching students have fun as they learned was what kept him coming back year after year.

Even considering his prodigious intellectual gifts and successful, wide-ranging career, he loved most of all being with family — usually involving meals — but always with Ronni, the love of his life, at his side. They met as kids on Coney Island and spent the next seventy years together, two kids in love. Once a kid, always a kid.

Irv passed peacefully, after a period of declining health.

The family thanks the wonderful staff at both Home Instead and Brookdale Sakonnet Bay. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Dartmouth Education Foundation, C/O CFSEMA 128 Union St., Suite 403, New Bedford, MA 02740 or The New Bedford Jewish Convalescent Home, 200 Hawthorn St., New Bedford, MA 02740.

Due to current restrictions on public gatherings, a private burial will be held at Riverside Cemetery in Saddle Brook, New Jersey at a later date.