Irving William Purington, 77, of Gorham and Boothbay passed away peacefully at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House surrounded by loved ones.

Irv was born in Portland, Maine on June 8, 1949, to Clifford and Evangeline Purington. Irv is the fourth of seven children, and some of Irv’s fondest memories were of time spent with his siblings and cousins. Irv graduated in1963 from Springfield High School in Springfield, Vermont. After high school, Irv followed in the family footsteps and enlisted in the US Coast Guard where he traveled to many places including the South Pacific, Japan and Hawaii.

Irv spent four years in the service, then decided that it was time to move on to other endeavors. Irv was a policeman in Springfield, Vermont, and lobsterman and purchased the former DMR vessel, the Explorer, which he used for harvesting of sea urchins.

The water was Irv’s favorite place; you could always find him fishing with family and good friends in salt and fresh water. He worked in carpentry for years, the majority being on Bayville for Phil Roberts. After retirement, Irv took up a new hobby of bee keeping. He was very intrigued by these small creatures and the amazing work they do and how we depend on them. He loved gardening, his dahlias were always a sight to behold. You could catch Irv on his Harley riding around Ocean Point or along the coast taking in a beautiful summer day, as well as taking road trips with his beloved Australian Shepard, Hunter, who he adored.

The most important thing to Irv was family. Irv married Tammy Demars in 2015, after a 32-year engagement. Irv loved his kids with every ounce of his being. He was always their biggest fan, from traveling to naga jiu-jitsu competitions to watch his son Irv “Bud” wrestling or any other sport his kids took part in. Irv will be missed and remembered for his likeable personality and witty sense of humor.

He was preceded by his wife Tammy, his parents Cliff and Vange Purington of Boothbay, a brother Cliff Purington of Tennessee, and a son-in-law Jared Peaslee of Boothbay.

Irv is survived by his children Nichole Peaslee, Jim, and granddaughter McKayla of Boothbay, Irving Purington II, Abby; grandsons Kayden, Landon, Tristan and Kellen of Pokamoke, Maryland, daughter Terra Purington and grandson Tanner Cline, Maureen Gould, Dave; granddaughters Maddison and Mya, and grandson Mason. He leaves behind five brothers and sisters: Janice Look, Donna Broza, Nancy Fair, James Purington and Robert Purington.

In life Irv valued his close friends, they may not have been blood siblings, but their bond ran as deep as the ocean that Irv loved so much. Linda, you are a great friend, and your adventures were so special to Irv. Tony, you were Irv’s brother not by blood but by choice. He will forever be beside you and your dad seeking your next big buck. Frank, he always talked about your camping and canoe trip on the Allagash. Mary, Ed, Roberta, and Aron, Irv loved his time at Bayville visiting and fishing with you. May the memories be as strong as the bourbon. These are just a few friends, anyone who met Irv was a friend in one way or another.

Irv requested no funeral; he disliked them so a private service with family will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to V.E.T.S., Inc. As a serviceman Irv would have liked to have helped his fellow veterans.