Dennis Elbridge Irwin

Dennis Elbridge Irwin passed away peacefully on May 23, 2025, at the age of 72, in Campbell River, British Columbia. In recent years, he faced significant health challenges with courage, resilience, and his trademark smile. Despite periods where he would distance himself, Dennis remained deeply connected to lifelong friends and family, who stood by him until the very end.

Born on July 23, 1952, in the small coastal community of Esperanza, BC, Dennis was the beloved son of Anita Doreen Irwin and James Elbridge Irwin Sr.. His early years were shaped by a spirit of adventure, following his father’s mining career across Canada—from Uranium City to the Northwest Territories, and eventually settling in Burnaby, where Dennis graduated from Burnaby South High School in 1972.

Dennis is predeceased by his father, James E. Irwin Sr., and his sister, Lorraine Irwin. He is lovingly remembered by his son, James Irwin Jr, James' wife Carly Smythe, and their daughters, Helen and Maisie; his mother, Anita Irwin; his sister, Linda Lolacher (Ron); and his brother, Dana Irwin.

For over 38 years, Dennis built a successful career in the elevator construction and maintenance industry. He was a man of many passions—an avid skier who spent countless winter weekends on Whistler Mountain, where he forged deep and lasting friendships. He also had a lifelong love for motorcycles and fast cars, owning several of his dream vehicles over the years. He rode his Harley with pride until his health no longer allowed it.

In the early 1990s, Dennis embraced family life. He was thrilled—if a bit daunted—by fatherhood, welcoming a son and stepdaughter into his life. Though his marriage did not last, Dennis was a devoted and determined parent to his son James, raising him with care and commitment in the Burnaby neighborhood he himself had grown up in.
Dennis lived a full and often unconventional life, guided by love, laughter, and a deep desire to do things his own way. He could be complex, and not always easy to understand, but his intentions were grounded in kindness and authenticity. In the end, he left this world on his own terms—just as he had lived.

A beachside Celebration of Life will be held in his honor on September 14, 2025.