Dr. Irwin Mirsky

Son of the late Sophie (Lubetsky) and Benjamin Mirsky, and brother of the late Stephen Mirsky. Irwin was the loving husband of the late Lois A. (Barnett) Mirsky. He was the beloved father of Peter H. Mirsky and his wife Betsy; Andrew A. Mirsky and his wife Trish; and Scott N. Mirsky and his wife Kathy. He was the cherished grandfather of Daniel, Darla, Julia, Alex, Ben, and Nathan.

Irwin was born in the Bronx, NY, on January 23, 1929, where he spent his younger years with his parents and brother before the family relocated to Bridgeport, CT, and later to Brookline, MA, where he attended high school. Irwin excelled in science and biology, subjects that would shape his lifelong career.

He went on to study biology at Syracuse University, where he captained the sailing team and developed his lifelong love of the water. After graduating, he continued his education at Tufts Dental School.

While at Tufts, Irwin met his beloved wife Lois, who was attending Wheelock College. They married in 1954 and shared 67 wonderful years together until Lois’ passing in 2021. Shortly after their wedding, Irwin served as a Captain in the U.S. Army at the White Sands Missile Testing Grounds in Las Cruces, New Mexico, where their first son, Scott, was born.

After his service, Irwin and Lois settled in West Roxbury, MA, where sons Peter and Andrew were born. He opened his dental practice on Blue Hill Avenue in Mattapan and later moved it to Westwood in the early 1970s. For 35 years, Irwin worked as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, practicing at several area hospitals, including the Glover (now Beth Israel Deaconess), the Faulkner, and Norwood Hospital. Known for his surgical skill and deep care for his patients, he touched countless lives throughout his career.

In the early 1970s, the family bought a sailboat, and weekends were often spent sailing Boston Harbor and its islands, sharing adventures with friends and family. Beyond sailing, Irwin had many passions: he was an avid reader, an astronomer, tennis player, fly fisherman, marksman, golfer and a painter. He was also a lover of many musical styles including the big bands, Dixieland jazz and opera, and he and Lois would make trips to New York City to see performances at the Metropolitan Opera. He also loved the outdoors—hiking, camping, and canoeing with his family—and in his youth worked as a camp counselor and waterfront director at Camp Alton in Alton, NH. He was also a Life Scout, a reflection of his lifelong love of learning, exploration, and service.

Though Irwin and Lois did not travel abroad often, when they did, their trips were extraordinary and deeply cherished—most memorably to Ireland and Norway, where they delighted in exploring together and traveling with family.

For all his professional accomplishments and personal interests, the center of Irwin’s life was always his wife, Lois, and his family. He warmly embraced not only his children and grandchildren but also the families of his daughters-in-law, as well as his nieces and nephews. He shared a particularly close bond with his sister-in-law Janie and her husband Mario, with their children and families, as well as with his nephew Mark and niece Allison and their families. He treasured these extended family connections and the joy they brought him.

In his final years, Irwin lived with his son Peter and daughter-in-law Betsy, where he remained surrounded by love until the very end.

Irwin will be greatly missed, but his kindness, curiosity, and devotion to family, friends, and patients will live on in the memories of all who knew him.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Service on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 10 AM at Stanetsky Memorial Chapel, 475 Washington Street, Canton. Burial will follow at the New Westwood Town Cemetery, High Street, Westwood.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Irwin’s memory may be made to Courageous Sailing at https://courageoussailing.org/ a nonprofit community sailing center that provides education and ocean access to Greater Boston community members of all ages.