By james art He was born in Youngstown on November 21, 1927 to immigrants, Ben and Mary. Meyer’s oldest brother, Norman and Joe, Irving’s mother was his role model. From humble beginnings, he overcame adversity to become a visionary entrepreneur whose lifelong mission was to improve people’s lives and give them peace of mind.
He enjoyed 62 years of marriage to his beloved wife and partner Esther and adored their three talented children Beth, Michael and Robert. They were blessed with their seven equally adored and even more talented grandchildren, Maya, Mia, Ari, Sophie, Asher, Avery and Jonah.
Irving dropped out of high school to join the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in 1948. Beginning his studies at Youngstown College (now Youngstown State University), he transferred to Ohio State University’s joint business and law degree program and Northern Ohio, where he was a member of Alpha Epsilon Pi.
His education was interrupted when his father Benjamin suffered a heart attack. Irv took over the family grocery store and transformed the business to serve the community and become profitable.
Irving met the love of his life, Esther Shub, an ardent elementary school teacher, while visiting her family in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1954. He was struck by her intelligence and beauty and readily approved of her desire to be equal partners. The couple married in June 1955, surrounded by family. They had three children, Beth, Michael and Robert, and moved to Longmeadow, Massachusetts. Irving founded his first insurance business, Hampden Insurance, which became a thriving regional brokerage. The couple moved to Encino, California, in 1969. By 1979, all of Irv’s younger brothers had joined him near Los Angeles, cementing the promise he made to his mother to care for them.
A gifted marketer and insurance visionary, Irving established the National Specialty Marketing Division and negotiated an alliance with Lone Star Life Insurance Company with the help of his brother Norman. He trained a nationwide network of agents and clients with missionary fervor.
His entrepreneurial spirit was surpassed only by his devotion to family. Irv enthusiastically supported and celebrated his children’s successes. He became close to his wife, Esther, and revered her achievements, fighting to improve public education and women’s equality.
After Irv’s retirement in 1986, the couple traveled the world and enjoyed summers in Santa Cruz with family. Irv continues to be an advocate for liberal and social causes. He founded the pioneering interfaith non-profit Transplant for Life after his son Michael received a life-saving kidney transplant. He was an open-minded, voracious reader and remained a famously handsome man throughout his life.
He loved the husbands of his children, Ben, Elizabeth and Karen. He formed mutually admirable friendships with each of his grandchildren and remained a firm believer in their abilities. He was supported by friend Terry and cousin Greta and many friends and relatives who kept in touch. He found unexpected friendships with his caregivers at the end of his life.
He always cherished the lives of the loved ones he lost: his brothers Joe, Norman and Meyer; his best friends Jerry, Eugene, Irv, Jim and Arnold; and most painfully, his beloved son Michael and his dearest wife Esther.
Seemingly immortal, Irving died just a month before his 97th birthday. Until his last days, Irv brought new care and vibrant love to those around him. Let us continue to discover the vast depths of his love.
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