Arthur Lee Irish

Arthur “Art” Lee Irish, Sr., 84, of East Lansing, Michigan, passed peacefully on September 28, 2025 in his Palm Beach Gardens home with his loving wife, Mary, by his side. True to his nature, Art showed remarkable strength and determination throughout his illness. He was born on November 23, 1940 to Arthur and Mary Irish. Art grew up in Lansing before moving with his family to the DeWitt area. He attended St. Johns High School, where he played on the baseball team, and later matriculated to Michigan State University.

Art is survived by his beloved wife, Mary (Wippel); his sons Argel (Kathleen) of Boyne City, Arthur “Lee” (Jennifer) of DeWitt, Jeffrey (Helen) of North Palm Beach, and Patrick (Jasmine) of Holland; 12 grandchildren—Mara, Cullen, Fiona, Eleri, Aidan, Kian, Padraig, Harper, Jack, Claire, Rory, and Patrick Xavier; and siblings Larry (Sheri) of East Lansing, Jerry of Lansing, and Patricia (Lou Romeo) of Jupiter, Florida. He will also be deeply missed by many extended family members and friends.

Art was hard working and street smart and began investing in real estate at the ripe age of 17. Throughout his 20s and thirties Art worked as an appliance salesman at Sears with his dear friend Ben Wickens. Together, Art and Ben built their first apartment complex in 1976, later individually developing over one thousand apartments in the Lansing area. Art always wanted his own bar, so he started The Draft House in Dewitt in 1982 which is now run by Arthur Lee Irish Jr.

In his youth Art was an avid fisherman. Taught by his father to fish for walleye, bluegill, and bass on Rollaway Lake and Houghton Lake, he later expanded his adventures to salmon fishing on Lake Michigan. Over the years, he captained a succession of boats, all named Luck of the Irish. He started with a 32’ Marinette in 1974, and culminated with a 55’ Viking Yacht, his pride and joy. In 2004, he took it on a dream voyage from Holland, MI to his home in Palm Beach Gardens, FL and invited friends and family to join him on different legs along the way.

Art was also a passionate gentleman golfer, a 26 year member of the Bears Club in Jupiter and a long time member of Walnut Hills Country Club. He and his friends would enjoy an annual three day golf tournament they named Lord Arthur’s Cup. Over the years he was proud to have won several prestigious tournaments and record 3 holes-in-one, including one on a 275 yard par 4 using a Ping persimmon driver. Throughout his life, he was fortunate to play bucket-list courses such as Pebble Beach, Augusta National, and Crystal Downs with many friends.

Quick-witted, Art always had a good one-liner or a joke to tell. He loved hosting family and friends and was generous with invitations to his homes in Florida and Boyne City. He took great pride in hosting his family for vacations and cruises, giving them memories that will last a lifetime.

Arthur was a faithful Catholic, attending mass at St. Thomas Aquinas in East Lansing, St. Patrick in Palm Beach Gardens, and St. Matthew in Boyne City. He was generous with each parish and took pride in contributing to the growth of each community.

Art Irish was a man of integrity, kindness, and generosity. He wanted to see the people around him succeed, and he left a lasting impression on everyone he met. Above all, Art’s heart belonged to his wife, Mary. Their love was unwavering and an inspiration to all who knew them. He wanted nothing more than to be by her side always, and their partnership was the foundation of a life filled with laughter, adventure, and devotion. His friends and family find comfort in knowing that Arthur’s legacy lives on through the lessons he taught them, the love he shared, and the countless memories they will cherish forever.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in East Lansing, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that Masses be offered in Art’s memory.