Donald J. Irwin

Donald Jay Irwin (September 7, 1926 – July 7, 2013) was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Connecticut's 4th district, Connecticut State Treasurer and mayor of Norwalk, Connecticut.

Donald J. Irwin
32nd Mayor of Norwalk, Connecticut
In office 1971–1975
Preceded by	Frank Zullo
Succeeded by	Jennie Cave
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Connecticut's 4th district
In office January 3, 1959 – January 3, 1961
Preceded by	Albert P. Morano
Succeeded by	Abner W. Sibal
In office January 3, 1965 – January 3, 1969
Preceded by	Abner W. Sibal
Succeeded by	Lowell P. Weicker, Jr.
State Treasurer of Connecticut
In office 1961–1963
Governor	John N. Dempsey
Preceded by	John A. Speziale
Succeeded by	Gerald A. Lamb
Personal details
Born	Donald Jay Irwin September 7, 1926 Rosario, Argentina
Died	July 7, 2013 (aged 86) East Norwalk, Connecticut
Resting place	St. John's Cemetery, Norwalk, Connecticut
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Mary Stapleton[1] Janet Caldwell Fragale Irwin[2]
Children	Patrick, Marion, Lucy and Stephen
Residence	East Norwalk, Connecticut
Alma mater	Yale University

Early life and family

He was born to American parents, Montrose Wellington Irwin and Marion Reynolds Irwin in Rosario, Argentina in 1926.[1] Irwin came to the United States in 1945 to attend Yale University.[3] He played rugby and soccer at Yale. In addition, he swam for the school team.[4] He entered the United States Army and served with the Joint Brazil-United States Military Commission in Rio de Janeiro.[3] He reentered Yale University and graduated in 1951.[3] He taught Spanish at Yale University while a student there.[3] He married Mary Stapleton on August 23, 1952.[1] Together they had four children; Patrick (b. 1953), Marion, Lucy (b. 1959) and Stephen (b. 1960). He graduated Yale Law School in 1954.[3] He was admitted to the bar and commenced the practice of law in Connecticut.[3]

Political career

Irwin served as member of the Norwalk Board of Education.[3] He was elected as a Democrat to the Eighty-sixth Congress (January 3, 1959 – January 3, 1961).[3] He was a delegate to Democratic National Convention from Connecticut in 1960.[1] He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1960 to the Eighty-seventh Congress.[3] He was appointed general counsel, United States Information Agency, 1961.[3] He was appointed treasurer of the State of Connecticut by Gov. John N. Dempsey in 1962. He served from 1961-1963[1][3] Irwin was elected to the Eighty-ninth and Ninetieth Congresses (January 3, 1965 – January 3, 1969).[1][3] He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1968 to the Ninety-first Congress.[1][3] He then resumed the practice of law.[3] Irwin was elected mayor of Norwalk, Connecticut, in November 1971,[1][3] defeating Jacob Rudolf. He was reelected in 1973 and was not a candidate for reelection in 1975.[3] Irwin died of heart problems on July 7, 2013 at the age of 86.[2][5]

Life after politics

After ending his career in politics, Irwin began involving himself in local teaching jobs around Norwalk. He was a permanent substitute teacher a Brien McMahon high school between the years 1995-2000. He also became a grandfather to 11 grandchildren. His first son, Patrick, had two children; Ana and Thomas Irwin. His first daughter, Marion, also had two children; Homer and Mary Turgeon. Lucile gave birth to three children; Ella, Stuart, and Owen Christoph. His youngest, Stephen, had four children; Jay, Matthew, Luke, and Elizabeth Irwin.[6]

Associations

• Member, Knights of Columbus[1]
• Member, Jaycees[1]

References

1. Political Graveyard
2. The Norwalk Hour
3. • United States Congress. "Donald J. Irwin (id: I000039)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
4. "The Manuscripts and Archives Digital Images Database (MADID)". images.library.yale.edu. Retrieved 2017-11-08.
5. Obituary
6. "Janet C Irwin - Norwalk, Connecticut". www.familytreenow.com. Retrieved 2017-11-08.

• United States Congress. "Donald J. Irwin (id: I000039)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress website http://bioguide.congress.gov.