Good afternoon, family and friends,
We gather here today to honor and celebrate the life of Irwin Monte Antkies—a man who lived with quiet strength, discipline, and purpose, and who touched so many lives in meaningful ways.
Irwin was born on October 13, 1934, in New York to Jack and Helen Antkies. From the very beginning, he carried with him a sense of loyalty, generosity, and resilience. He served his country honorably in the Air Force during the Korean War and later went on to build a remarkable career as an engineer with PanAm.
For 32 years, Irwin worked in the Seychelles Islands, where he made lifelong friends and left an impact that stretched far beyond himself. He even mastered speaking French fluently. During his time there, he helped maintain a satellite tracking station in the 1960s that played a vital role in the war efforts. The island also endured a coup d’état in the 1970s, when the government was overthrown, placing U.S. troops in danger. But that didn’t shake Irwin’s bravery or his commitment to service.
After his years abroad, Irwin returned to Bay Harbor Islands to care for his ailing mother. While there, his mother’s nurse, Lilly, captured his heart with her compassionate nature. The two fell in love and shared 25 wonderful years together. After Lilly’s passing, Irwin moved to Aventura, where he lived with Janet and Michael, and also spent weekends with Lilly’s other children, who always welcomed him with love.
Irwin was a man of remarkable discipline. Even into his 90s, he took great care of himself—eating healthily, staying active, and living with a consistency that was inspiring to witness. He showed us all that living well isn’t just about the number of years, but about how you carry yourself through them.

To Be Continued in Comments...

Greta:  My family and I will miss Irwin dearly, we will miss dancing the traditional dance from Seychelles. I got the privilege to spend quality times with him which I will hold dear to my heart. I will miss making matzo ball soup for him. Dean and I will always cherish the fond memories we spent together as a family with him and mama. Irwin will always hold a special place in our heart. We loved you.  Love Greta (Lilly's Children)

Kevin:  Mr. Irwin, you truly exemplified what it means to be a gentleman. You were always so kind and attentive to my mom, taking such wonderful care of her. She never had to open a car door herself because your chivalry simply wouldn’t allow it. When someone entered the room, you were always the first to rise, greet them with warmth, and even offer your seat.
I’ll never forget when Greta once told me about a moment in an elevator—you stepped back and graciously let the ladies exit first. They looked at one another in surprise, as if they couldn’t believe that people like you still existed in today’s world. That’s the kind of impression you left—small acts of respect and kindness that spoke volumes about the man you were.
You were incredibly disciplined in every aspect of your life. In your later years, you made the remarkable decision to become vegan, no small feat for someone who had eaten meat their entire life. You stayed active and strong, even walking up six flights of stairs—ten times in a row well into your later years. And who could forget those headstands at age 90? Truly inspiring.
You were also a man of many talents and always ready to help others. Clinton once shared a story of hanging a light fixture, with you right by his side as his trusty assistant, handing him every tool he needed. And speaking of tools, you were never without your pocket knife and screwdriver—always prepared for whatever task came your way.
Your curiosity and love of learning were equally remarkable. You even learned French Creole while living in the Seychelles Islands. I couldn’t help but smile when, during your time in the hospital, you struck up a conversation in Creole with one of your nurse’s aides. She giggled, clearly impressed—and so was I.  You were also reading your Miami Herald, reader’s digest and keeping up with the news.  Even in your ripe age I admired that you were able to use a computer to check your emails or playing Mahjong - TBC Love Kevin (Lilly's Children)

Janet:  Mama knew I had a void after losing my dad at a tender age of 7 so she left you for me to care for.  Irwin gave me the blessing of knowing what it feels like to be loved by a father.  I will never forget the strong kiss on my cheek when you said I love you right before you left for your procedure on Thursday.  Even during the preparation for his procedure, he was cracking jokes to the nurses and telling them about his time as a veteran and life in Seychelles.  
I prepared your room for your 24 hours care with a rocking chair per your request and welcome home decorations, and they are still there, wishing you would come home but instead you went home to God.   Irwin taught me a lot; no words can express.  You will be forever in my heart as I will always ask myself, what will Irwin do or say in this situation.  I love and miss you so much Irwin!  Rest in Perfect Peace.  Love always, Janet (Lilly's children)

Karen:  I could never have asked for a better stepfather and friend. The great times we spent together will always stay with me, and I will never forget the moments I had caring for you.  You were always there for my mom, loving her and standing by her side through everything. Even after she passed, you continued to be there for me and for all of us, making life easier just by being the strong, independent man that you were.  You will be deeply missed, but your love, strength, and the memories we shared will forever live on in our hearts.
Love Karen (Lilly's Children)

Sharon:  Irwin was my Friday buddy.  I am going to miss spending time with him taking him grocery shopping, doctors’ appointments, to his apartment and that tenderness he has in him.  He was very particular with his groceries – his Zak the baker bread from Wholefoods, his Bizzy expresso, Greek yogurt, Kefir, Thai tapioca pudding from Publix and his fruits and cereals from Costco, to name a few.   

I will miss Irwin’s calls every day before and after his steps and headstands to let me know he is okay.    I love him for the way he loved my mom and all of us.  I love him for who he is. Forever in my heart, rest in peace, Irwin.

Love Sharon (Lilly's children)

Irwin, your absence is profound, but your presence will always remain in our hearts. We know you are reunited with Mama now, and though we will miss you deeply, we find peace knowing you are together again. Thank you for the love, the wisdom, and the memories that will live with us forever.

Angie:  I can remember sometimes when I called him when Janet is out of town I would call and say how are you doing and he would answer jokingly say “I’m hungry” because he knows I’m going ask him if he has food.  When you came into our life it was a blessing from God.  You can’t be humbler and kinder.   I will always miss you so much. Love Angie (Lilly's children)

Irwin, your absence is profound, but your presence will always remain in our hearts. We know you are reunited with Mama now, and though we will miss you deeply, we find peace knowing you are together again. Thank you for the love, the wisdom, and the memories that will live with us forever.

Tommy:  Irwin was a very humble guy, and I wish I could do half of what he does at his age. He never says no to me no matter what.  I will always cherish his kindness and warmth.  May his soul rest in peace.  

Lilly's children

From His Children by Love
Irwin left us with heavy hearts yet filled with gratitude for the love he gave so freely. We know he passed with a broken heart; missing Mama more than words could capture. No matter how much love we poured into him, nothing could replace the bond the two of them shared.  Since Mama’s passing in 2023, Irwin lived with us. He was like a father and best friend to us. He inspired us daily like a guru. His diplomacy, calmness, honesty, humility, kindness, positivity, intelligence, wisdom, modesty, and sense of humor left an imprint we will never forget. Irwin lived with discipline and joy. His daily routine was sacred: an hour of stair climbing on MWF; yoga and an eight-minute headstand on TT.  His breakfast cereal with his seeds, fruits and olive oil – yes, he puts olive oil on everything.   His afternoon snacks – sauerkraut, Kimchi, Olives, tabbouleh and Angies’ mix of Tumeric, ginger lemon, garlic.  We’ll miss his favorites: Raos tomato sauce, quinoa, sweet peas, black beans, dahl and rice, curries, tofu, bonne mama marmalade, sweets, to name a few.  He loved his news updates, his television shows, and especially his weekend family outings.  He is always ready to go for a drive and nothing made him happier than a gathering with loved ones or trying a new restaurants.  He also loved his warm temperature, even having the heater on in his bedroom in Miami.  We will forever remember our walks, talks and movie nights—especially his beloved war films, police shows and immigration border shows.   We’ll miss Costco trips with him, sampling foods with that quiet delight of his. Even during his hospital stay, he longed for the comcomfort of his routines—his Perrier water and catching David Muir on the evening news.
Irwin taught us by example. He showed us the strength of humility, the power of laughter, and the beauty of living with intention.  Irwin respected life a and had the will to live.  Love forever and always.

Prayers of comfort to Monty’s family.  A quiet soul always smiling, forever cherish our times spent together working in Seychelles. Rest in Peace buddy.  Dave & Myriam Miller,
Fredericksburg, Texas

My sincere condolences to Monty's family. He was a Seychellois at heart.  He and my parents shared a good friendship during his days at the tracking station. So honored to have known him. 

Gertha Sicobo

What an inspiration to the world!! 91 this year and still doing his head stands over 7 minutes and other yoga practices every other day.    This is coupled with 800 to 1000 stairs steps in between.  He has been doing this routine for decades  and stopped about 6 weeks ago.   His flexibility,  memory and discipline are amazing.

Irwin is extremely humble, modest and intelligent with a great sense of humor and is a vegetarian and drinks no alcohol.  I am living with a  Guru!!! How amazing is that!

I have such good memories of Irwin.
He visited us several times when I was between 10 and 16—probably between 1972 and 1976—when we were living in Bangalore, South India. Great guy. Shy. He was just as comfortable sitting quietly as he was goofing around with my younger brother Peer and me. He had a habit of taking our car engine apart, which worried my dad no end, but he always managed to put it back together.
On one visit, Irwin pulled out a “Huey” stick he’d made—it was tucked into his shirt pocket. It was a slender wooden rod about 10 cm long with a set of propeller blades at one end. The rod was ridged so that when you rubbed it with a pen, it vibrated, sending a rotational wave that spun the propeller. Irwin would set the propeller spinning, say “Huey,” and, like magic, it would stop and begin to spin in the opposite direction. He’d laugh uncontrollably as we tried it, unable to get the damn thing to move at all, let alone reverse. “You’re not saying it right,” he insisted. Later, he taught us the trick. I still have that Huey stick, and fiddle with it from time to time.
He also introduced us to the music of Ipi n’tombia, which we used to dance to. 

I feel bad that I didn’t keep in touch, even though he would send me New Year cards with the simple note: “All is well in Miami”.
One of his communication tricks has stayed with me. When my father would ask him a political question, Irwin would clear his throat for a good five minutes, leading everyone to expect a grand speech or something profound, only to pause and say, “Yeah.

I have wonderful memories of time that Irwin spent with me and my family during his visits to Bangalore, India during my childhood and later when he visited me at The University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and my visit to see him and his elderly mother in New York, as well as my wedding in Houston.  He was a calm, quiet, yet fun-loving presence, and a thoroughly good and genuine man.  I still remember him treating me to a great meal at The Culinary Institute in Philadelphia, which we stopped at impulsively at his suggestion during his visit.  My best wishes for his final journey and sincere condolences to all his family.

Irwin was very much a part of the Chacko family in Bangalore, India. We were related by marriage through his aunt who had married my mother  Dorian Renate Chacko nee Fraenkel's maternal uncle Ludwig Rothschild.

Irwin met my parents on a visit to Bangalore, back in the late 70s. He was working at that time in the Schelles.

He was a big hit in the family and endeared himself to us in his own quiet way.

A man of many practical talents he taught my younger brothers a lot of interesting games and tricks. He could fix practically anything and always carried his tool kit with him.

After that first visit to India , Irwin made it a point to visit over the years.  He felt at home in my parents home Shanti Nilayam.  He attended all our weddings and we met him over the decades either in Bangalore or in the USA

A gentle soul who lived a simple life and gave a lot of love to us all.
He sent us a Christmas card every year till a few years ago

My sister Mariam informed me today of his passing. Sad news indeed. We send our condolences on behalf of the Chacko family.  May his soul rest in peace.
Elsa, George, Ria and David Varghese

It was so sad to hear the news of Irwin's passing.  It just so happened that my husband and I were reminiscing the years gone by this evening. So I googled him to see if he was still in Miami. Lo and behold I read his obituary!

When Irwin lived in the Seychelles he would visit my parents in Bangalore, India whenever he could. There was a mutual affection between them. He was my parent's  fix it man during his visits to their farm! 

Irwin also attended our family reunions including my parents 50th wedding anniversary in Houston and our weddings in  Bangalore, Baltimore and Houston.  When he visited us his favorite line was " I want to show you a good time"! Irwin was such a fine man. 

It was special to read about his large extended family in the obituary.

The Chacko family is scattered between India, Germany and the USA and on their behalf I send  condolences to Irwin's family. May Irwin rest in peace.

Mariam( Renee) Chacko
Houston. Texas

To all of Auntie Lilley's Children and family and Montes Family sending love to you all at this sad time and hope all the happy memories will hold you up. 
Your Auntie Ivy has fond memories of Monte whenever she visited Auntie Lilley.
Big hugs to you all and thinking of you today. I am sure he will have a lovely send off.
Love from Auntie Ivy Deenah and Family in the UK.x

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Irwin Monte Antkies

13 octobre 1934 – 4 septembre 2025

Fred Hunter's Funeral Home & Fred Hunter's Hollywood Memorial Gardens

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