Obituary

One of Newport Harbor High School’s first gridiron stars has died.

Ralph Irwin, an all-area guard on the school’s football team in the

1930s, succumbed to chemotherapy treatment for lung cancer at Flagship

Healthcare Center shortly after noon on Monday. Mr. Irwin was 82.

Mr. Irwin, who was a lifelong Newport Beach resident, graduated from

Newport Harbor in 1937. A four-year letterman, Mr. Irwin secured

all-league honors in 1936 and 1937. He also joined the wrestling team.

Mr. Irwin’s brother Al was also a football star at the time. Al Irwin,

now 84, played fullback.

After graduating from high school, Ralph Irwin opened a gasoline

station on Old Newport Boulevard.

Mr. Irwin married wife Dolores in 1939 in Arizona. He served in the

Coast Guard for three years and was stationed on Anna Capa Island.

Mr. Irwin’s family-oriented lifestyle and warmth will be missed, son

Michael Irwin said.

“He was such a generous man,” Michael Irwin said. “A year ago, he was

across the street painting a neighbor’s house.”

In his later years, the elderly Irwin spent his free time carving

wooden ducks. Dolores would then paint the decoys so they could be

displayed around town.

Mr. Irwin is survived by brother Al, son Michael, daughter Robin, four

grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Services are planned for 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Pacific View Memorial

Park, 3500 Pacific View Drive.