IRVIN LIONEL BASS

Irvin Lionel Bass was born April 5,1926 in Baltimore, MD. He passed on January 10, 2022, in Atlantic City, NJ, where he resided for the past eight years and was almost 96 years of age.

Irvin had lived almost forty years in Norton, Va and Marion, Virginia and the surrounding southwest Virginia area. He graduated at the top of his class at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and graduated from the University of Delaware as a Chemical Engineer and member of the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity and the Mensa Society. This is where he met his loving and beautiful wife, Ursula DeMarie.

He was a WW II Veteran in the Army Air Force and a Merchant Marine. Irvin was a strong Christian and was a fifth degree knight and part of the prison ministry at church. He loved life and he loved his family dearly.

Irvin was a man of integrity and was very compassionate. Irvin loved the arts and music, especially the opera “La Boheme” and “Madame Butterfly”. All his children grew up playing musical instruments. Irvin loved animals and nature especially bird watching. He was a seeker of knowledge about everything as was an avid reader. He had a strong work ethic because he grew up as an orphan and worked on a farm in eastern shore Maryland at an early age.

In later years, he worked double and triple shifts at Westmoreland Coal Company where he worked for thirty years.

Previously Irvin grew up playing sports such as wrestling and lacrosse. He played on the college lacrosse team at the University of Delaware and he also played golf. Playing cards and chess were a pastime he enjoyed all his life. Irvin had a great sense of humor and loved telling jokes and he always said “Life is an adventure”.

Irvin is preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Ursula DeMarie Bass and his oldest daughter, Barbara Ann Bass.

Surviving are his five daughters and his only son: Rosemary and Mike Hopper of Lawrenceville, Ga, Diane and Buddy Lucas of Nickelsville, Va; Brenda and Rich Janice of Atlantic City, NJ; Janet Bass of Atlanta, Ga, Sharon Loughran of Marietta, Ga and Gregory Irvin and Cora Bass of Woodstock, GA. Survived also by his grand children: Tara Hensley and fiancé TJ Fields; Heather and spouse David Ison, Bridgette Hensley and partner Marshal Smith, Kristen Loughran and fiancé Alex Smith, Marisa Bass and spouse CJ Mitchell, Daniella and spouse Liz Brown Bass. Survived by his great grandchildren: Taylor and spouse Brian Bixsby; Mason Bailey; Aiden Bailey; Conner Ison; Silas Ison; Gavin Mitchell; and Julian Smith.

Irvin L. Bass had a zest for life and love for his family. He touched everyone he met! He will truly be missed by all! Irvin, may you enjoy your new adventure in Heaven whistling all the way!

Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later time.