Jacob Irvine made his transition to be with the Lord on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023 in New Haven, CT. He was born on Aug. 8, 1938 on the beautiful picturesque island of Tobago. Jacob was a snowbird and would spend his summers in the USA and the winters back home in sweet TNT.
Jacob, better known as “Diego”, migrated to the sister island of Trinidad in his early twenties and began working in the paddocks of the Queens Park Savannah where he discovered his love for horses and horse racing. He would travel to various Caribbean islands to assist with horse training for races. He changed career paths and began working at the Port of Spain Port Authority and retired after 50+ years of service.
While enjoying his new life in Trinidad, his life changed forever on Aug. 31, 1962, Trinidad’s very first Independence Day. That was the day he met his future wife, Dorothy Deroche. Not long after, they got married and shared almost 50 years of love before Dorothy sadly passed away in 2013. From that union together, they have four wonderful children: Andy, Junior (deceased), Otis, and Allison.
“Uncle Diego”, as he was affectionately called, was a kind, generous, and gentle man who loved traveling and going to the races on Saturday with his lifelong friends. On Sunday afternoons after church, Dorothy would play her gospel hymns, and Jacob would then bring out his extensive record collection that would feature his favorite crooners such as Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, and Paul Anka to name a few. There would be singing, dancing, and merriment every Sunday as they enjoyed a delicious Trini Sunday lunch feast with friends and family. One of his greatest joys was to spend time with good company and shoot the breeze. He was a father figure to all of the young men and women in the neighborhood. He took the time to bestow wisdom and support or simply be a shoulder to lean on when needed. His love of music would transcend to him being the life of the party. First man to reach with a smile and a chip and that’s how we knew PARTY START! To know him was to undoubtedly love him. His presence, his light, and his legacy of unconditional love is not only remarkable but truly unforgettable.
Jacob was predeceased in passing by his loving wife, Dorothy; son, Junior; sister, Feme; brother, Belton; and great-grandchild, Rheya. He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his children, Andy, Otis, and Allison; grandchildren, Chinnell, Raquel, Aquila, Andell, and Jasmine; great-grandchildren, Ramya, Rayne, Rohze, Aniya, Amara, Aliya, Aazaria, and Amiyah; son-in-law, Dave Lewis; siblings, Alfred, Theophilus, Lorna, and Silvia; and countless cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family in the U.S., Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Vincent, and Guyana.
A celebration of his life will take place Monday, Oct. 16, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Howard K. Hill Funeral Services, 1287 Chapel St., New Haven, CT 06511. Friends may call Monday at the funeral home from 10:00 – 11:00 AM. Interment is private. To leave a message of comfort for the Irvine family, please visit www.hkhfuneralservices.com