Irvin Canty was born to the late Richard and Pauline Canty on September 17, 1931, in Pinewood, South Carolina. He was the oldest of three children. His sister, Rosa Mae Canty, and his brother, Edward Canty, preceded him in death.

Armed with a high school diploma and a strong determination to build a better life, 20-year-old Irvin arrived in New York City in September 1951 seeking work and opportunity. He worked as a shipping clerk for GLICK from 1951 to 1953. A proud Korean War veteran, Irvin was drafted into the United States Army, serving from March 5, 1953, to February 19, 1955. After his honorable discharge, he began a distinguished 32-year career as an electrician with the United States Postal Service, retiring in 1987.

At the age of 25, Irvin escorted 18-year-old Mary Lizzie to her high school prom in May 1956. Three years later, on July 11, 1959, they were united in marriage, beginning a loving union that lasted 60 years. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Irvin Jr. and Lisa Anne. Mary Lizzie preceded Irvin in death in 2019, but their love remains a lasting example of devotion, commitment, and partnership.

Together, they built a home filled with love, laughter, and lasting family traditions. Dad was the definition of a hardworking husband and father. He provided a stable, loving home and led by example, teaching responsibility, discipline, and perseverance through his daily life. He worked tirelessly, helped with homework, maintained the yard, cooked, and showed love through consistent acts of service.

To know Dad was to know a man who expressed his love through cooking. His wife often volunteered his baked macaroni and cheese, collard greens, potato salad, and other dishes for church and office functions. His blueberry and peach cobblers were family favorites, but during Thanksgiving and Christmas, Dad became the undisputed “Sweet Potato Pie Master.”

Each pie was made from scratch. He boiled, puréed, and seasoned the sweet potatoes and prepared homemade crusts with care. Every holiday season, he baked no fewer than a dozen pies. As adults, Irvin Jr. and Lisa would jokingly compete over who could take home a pie or two. Irvin Jr. often managed several, while Lisa usually secured one or two. To add humor, Irvin Jr. never believed in small slices, for example, one serving often took up nearly a third of a pie.

Family was always at the center of Dad’s life. Every year, without fail, he loaded up the car and drove the family to South Carolina for the Fourth of July. Determined to beat traffic, he insisted on leaving at 3:00 a.m., with fried chicken, Wonder Bread, and soda packed for the journey. The only stops were for gas, and much to everyone’s relief we were able to stretch our legs and use the bathroom.

As Irvin Jr. and Lisa grew older, Mom decided the South was too hot in July, so Dad continued the tradition alone. Lisa often missed celebrating her July 1st birthday with him, as he departed each year on June 30th at 3:00 a.m. His love for family, tradition, and his Southern roots never faded. He continued these trips until age 90. His final journey south at age 90 was especially meaningful, as he shared it with his younger brother, Edward.

Dad shared a close bond with his son, Irvin Jr., through their love of sports, spending many evenings watching games together while enjoying his cooking. Lisa watched her father in the kitchen, learning his recipes and carrying those traditions forward. She remains grateful for those lessons from one of the very best.

Irvin was caring, compassionate, dependable, and deeply grounded in his faith. Although he did not attend church regularly, his faith in Jesus was personal and sincere. One day, while an old spiritual hymn played, he began singing every word. Surprised, Lisa looked at him in amazement. With a smile, he said, “What are you looking at? Just because I don’t go to church doesn’t mean I don’t know the songs.” That moment reflected the quiet strength of his faith.

At the age of 94, Irvin’s remarkable journey came to a peaceful close. His legacy of hard work, devotion, strength, humor, and unconditional love will continue to live on through his family and all who were blessed to know him.

Irvin leaves to cherish his memory: son, Irvin Jr., daughter-in-law Kim, daughter, Lisa Anne Canty-Santiago, son-in-law Ivan C. Santiago, grandchildren, Vaughn and Wesley; great-granddaughter, Samahra, host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and many dear friends whose lives were enriched by his love, kindness, generosity, and unwavering example.