Jose Noel Irizarry Hernandez, (Chenel) was a proud Puerto Rican man. Born April 13, 1933, in the mountain town of Lares, Puerto Rico, he was the oldest son of the late, Jose Gregorio Irizarry and Amor Maria Hernandez.
He graduated from High School in Puerto Rico in 1951 and joined the US Army a year later. During his time in the US Army, he traveled to France, Germany, Luxembourg, and other places learning the language and culture of each, which assisted him in the performance of his military duties. He was honorably discharged in 1958.
On August 27, 1960, he married the love of his life, Rose M. Massanet in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico and they had four children. Taking advantage of new opportunities, he moved his family to Austin, Texas where he re-enlisted in the US Army National Guard as an active-duty member in 1977. He served a total of 23 years in the US Army, retiring on his 60th birthday with the rank of Sergeant Major. He then joined forces with the Texas Department of Public Safety, Narcotics Division, where he worked for 5 years, completely retiring in 2000.
Never forgetting his roots, Chenel enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren telling them childhood stories of life in Puerto Rico. He was a member of Iglesia Bautista Principe De Paz in Austin, Texas where he served as an associate Deacon and Director of the Food Pantry Ministry. He was called home on July 24, 2024.
He was preceded in death by his sister Lilia (Yiya), his brother Heriberto, and his aunt Marta. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Rose M. Irizarry; his brother Lauro; his four children, Rose Enid, Nadya Marie, Jose Noel and wife Donna, and Jenny Amor and husband Juan; his nine grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren, as well as a host of other family members and friends.
