STARKSBORO/BRISTOL — On Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, Adrian C. Irish Sr., loving husband, father and papa left earth for his reward in heaven.
Andy was born on Aug. 29, 1938, in St. Albans, Vt., to Robert and Bessie (Ryan) Irish. He was the first of four children; brothers, Michael (deceased), Brian and Dwight and sister Cindy. He grew up on a small farm in Fletcher, Vt., where he spent many an hour in a field watching the cows and reading. This is where Andy acquired much of his intelligence. He graduated from  BFA Fairfax and was the salutatorian of his class. He attended UVM upon entering the Navy, in which he served for six years. He was a very proud veteran. Andy worked for the telephone company for many years, and then started a career with IBM in Essex, Vt. He retired from there after 25 years.
In 1987 he married the love of his life and his best friend Karen. He raised their five children, the oldest Robert Todd Wood, Melody Lois (Wood) Roell, Brett Scott Wood, Jason Clifford Wood, and Jarred Allen Wood. He loved and enjoyed their 14 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. The grandchildren are Madison and Mason Wood, Kaleb Shepard, Saddie Roy, Kennady Roy and Bella Roell, Corey and Zachary Wood, Keana, Shayna and Matthew Wood, and Xavier, Aiden and Connor Wood. His great grandchildren are Kylee and Sophee Shepard, Blake Nadeau and Charley Mouton.
Andy was the most faithful fan for baseball games, basketball games, soccer games, and car racing. He followed rain or shine. He loved reading, gardening, fishing, and crazy adventures like spur of the moment tattoos in South Carolina with his wife Karen. They enjoyed life to the fullest, and they loved their hearts out. He loved and enjoyed his dog, Dash.
He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He was tired and ready. He had battled Parkinson’s disease for four years, ending in uncontrollable seizures that eventually took him. Andy is survived by his wife, Karen Belle Irish, his five children, 14 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
Visiting hours were held on Tuesday, Dec. 3, from 4 to 7 p.m., at Brown-McClay Funeral Home in Bristol. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at Bristol Baptist Church, with a reception following at American Legion in Bristol. Burial will be at Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Randolph.
To send online condolences to his family visit brownmcclayfuneralhomes.com.◊