Skip to main content
Top Banner for Jack T. Irvin, Sr. Obituary
Jack T. Irvin, Sr. Obituary

Jack T. Irvin, Sr. Obituary

Jack Irvin, Sr. passed away after a very brief illness on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, at the age of 89.

Born in Lake Placid in 1933 to William and Jane (Normile) Irvin, Jack attended and graduated from Lake

Placid High School. He was active on the LP Bombers baseball team and as a competitive ski jumper,

which earned him the nickname "Termite." During his ski jumping career, he met and became a close,

lifelong friend with ski jumping legend Art Devlin.

Jack worked at the Holiday Harbor in Lake Placid for several years as a tour boat driver and waterski

instructor. During the winter months he was a ski instructor at Mt. Whitney. In 1955, Jack enrolled in the

Army and served at Fort Dix in New Jersey for 2 years. Upon returning from the service, Jack met his

wife, Colleen, while she was working at the Marcy Hotel; the pair subsequently moved to Canton, where

Jack received his bachelor's degree from St. Lawrence University. Jack briefly worked for Kodak in

Rochester before returning to his hometown of Lake Placid, where he continued his career at the Holiday Harbor. He then traveled to Chicago to train as a bowling alley manager; it was a skill he never needed as the planned bowling alley became the Harbor Theater. Jack unsuccessfully ran for mayor against Bob Peacock, but held the prestigious title of "Ice Meister" for many years.

After meeting Peter Roland, Jack accepted the position of Manager at the Lakeside Motor Inn (currently

Lake House). At the same time, Jack, Colleen, and their family opened the hometown favorite Custard

Mustard n' Brew, which they ran as a very successful summer business until it was sold in 1978. One of

Jack's fondest memories from Cut n' Mut was when Kate Smith (eating her baby cone) sang her unique

rendition of Happy Birthday to Jack on his 40th birthday.

Jack subsequently accepted the position of General Manager at the Lake Placid Hilton while it was being

built for the 1980 Olympics, remaining there until he retired in 1996.

Jack will be remembered as an enthusiastic tennis player, an avid skier and golfer, the organizer of many

family vacations, an amazing father, and a man who was known by all for his outgoing personality and his great sense of humor. He always had a twinkle in his eyes and a smile on his face.

Jack is survived by his children Jack (Lisa G), Claire (Kuljeet), Tom, and Mary Jane (Don) and grandchildren Chelby, Sydney, Jack, Kishann, and Karina. He was predeceased by his wife Colleen, his sister Jane and his brother Bill.

A celebration of Jack's amazing life will be held at Lisa G's Restaurant on Wednesday, October 26, 5-7

p.m. The M. B. Clark, Inc., Funeral Home in Lake placid, NY is in charge of arrangements. Please visit www.mbclarkfuneralhome.com to share a memory or leave condolences.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Lake Placid Volunteer Ambulance Service

or the Tri-Lakes Humane Society.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jack, please visit our floral store.

Jack Irvin, Sr. passed away after a very brief illness on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, at the age of 89.

Born in Lake Placid in 1933 to William and Jane (Normile) Irvin, Jack attended and graduated from Lake

Placid High School. He was active on the LP Bombers baseball team and as a competitive ski jumper,

which earned him the nic

Events

Celebration of Life

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

5:00 pm

Lisa G's Restaurant

Sentinel Road Lake Placid, NY 12946

Final Resting Place

Mountain View Crematory

23A Industrial Park Rd. Alburgh, VT 05440

© 2025 M B Clark Inc Funeral Home. All rights reserved.|Terms of Use|Privacy Policy|Family Login