Anthony Irace

With heavy hearts, we say goodbye to our beloved Anthony: devoted husband, father and grampy, cherished brother, fun uncle and treasured friend. He was born and grew up on Munjoy Hill in Portland and was the third child of Italian immigrant John Irace and his wife Dina.

Tony attended Cheverus, where he held the high-jump record of 6’3” for decades. While at Orono, Tony met Mary Kilgen at a Bible group Christmas party. She was impressed with his strong faith.

After graduating from the University of Maine at Orono, Tony earned a Juris Doctor from Western New England College of Law.

As a lawyer, he was employed at Lowry & Associates and then at the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein, where his self-deprecating quick wit and fun-loving spirit made him a favorite among colleagues and clients. One of Anthony’s cases – Herzog V. Irace – went to the Maine Supreme Court and is studied by students in American law schools.

Anthony was the straw that stirred the drink at events. He orchestrated legendary birthday parties, filmed and directed original skits with extended family members, and always brought his guitar or ukelele to family gatherings. His creative sense of humor enabled him to write many silly tunes. As a caller on WGAN, he wrote parodies for radio and poked fun at local antics.

He also wrote a musical about the life of St. Anthony, a screenplay about his parents’ WWII romance and was the author of the children’s book Miriam’s Gift with illustrator Susan Camp Hilton.

Anthony and Mary sang with the FLUKES ukelele group, directed by PSO symphony member Nina Miller, for over 14 years. Many good times were had entertaining folks and playing with the Portland Symphony at the Magic of Christmas./

Tony was Treasurer and later President of the Cape Elizabeth Football Boosters before it was a funded school sport. In recent years, he volunteered at Still a Good Cause Thrift Shop, where he was known as “El Presidente.” He also served coffee at The Salvation Army on Wednesday mornings to the in-need.

Anthony expressed his Christian faith by ministering to others. He and his wife founded a charity Simple Gifts, which raises funds to assist in-need families experiencing a medical crisis in Maine hospitals. Even when Anthony only had weeks to live and was a patient himself at Maine Medical Center, he still urged his wife to leave his bedside and deliver aid to other patients.

At home, he was a fantastic chef, cooking many delightful dinners, among which was his famous “Daddy’s Special Chicken.”

Anthony was very moved by Flight 93 and the last words spoken by 9/11 hero Todd Beamer. As a result, his hat and license plate sported the words “Let’s Roll.”

Anthony’s generous, fun-loving spirit will be greatly missed by his wife Mary of 48 years; his daughter Christina; son Michael, daughter-in-law Laura and grandson John; brother Domenic; sister Mary Burke and husband Richard; sister Joanne Tibbetts and husband Barry; as well as his nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters-in-law, other extended family members and many lifelong friends.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the exceptional staff of Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, D&C Homecare and the staff at MMC.

Friends and family are invited to a time of visitation on February 13th from 3-6PM at Jones, Rich and Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford Street in Portland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 124 Cottage Road, South Portland, on Saturday, February 14 at 10AM.

To view Anthony’s memorial page or to leave a condolence, please visit www.jonesrichandbarnes.com