Obituary of Michael Irene, Jr.

Michael Irene Jr., more affectionately known as “Big Mike” by his loved ones, passed away after a long battle with cancer on May 17, 2024.  Michael was born in Newark, New Jersey to Michael Irene Sr. and Josephine Lamberti Irene on December 28, 1956. Michael was the youngest of four siblings and is survived by his older brother, Lawrence, and older sisters, Sandra and Michelle.

Michael grew up in Bloomfield, New Jersey and attended Trenton State College, where he met his college sweetheart and love of his life, Maria Radice. Mike and Maria were the perfect pair and did everything together. They spent a wonderful life together raising their two boys, Michael Peter and Matthew James, in Mercer County. Michael worked from the time he was in high school, delivering furniture, until his retirement from Merrill Lynch in 2021. He always supported and provided for his family.

Michael was the best dad that anyone could ask for. He loved spending time with his boys and coaching them in baseball and football any opportunity he could get. He was always so proud of his sons. The ultimate “boy” dad became the world’s greatest “girl” grandpa to two little girls and one on the way. Michael devoted his later years to babysitting Sophie and Lucy, who absolutely adored him. He also had a special relationship with both of his daughters-in-law, Lexie and Alexandra, with whom he often shared dad jokes.

Michael was a very family-oriented man. He loved getting together with family for Pizza Fridays, vacations, and holiday celebrations. He was also a fan of making eggs Benedict, watching Jeopardy, grilling various meats, and relaxing on the couch with a cold beer.  He loved to go out to dinner with his family and would help to make sure that everyone left the table with an empty plate.

Big Mike was a very avid sports fan, and could always be found rooting for the Mets, Jets, and Devils. One of his favorite sports was baseball, and he enjoyed annual cross-country trips to visit different stadiums with his good friends, Tom and Neil. He was also a lover of rock’n’roll music, particularly the Beatles and Billy Joel. Michael was a big history buff and loved to combine the two interests by reading biographies of various musical artists.

Michael would be described by everyone as one of the kindest and most thoughtful people that they had ever met. Whether he was trimming his father-in-law’s hair, helping his children with a house project, or simply going along with someone for a car ride so they didn’t have to go alone, he was always thinking of others and putting their needs before his own.

His time was too short and Big Mike will forever be loved and missed by his family and friends.

Arrangements to celebrate the life of Michael Irene will be held at Poulson & Van Hise Funeral Home at 650 Lawrence Road in Lawrenceville, New Jersey on Saturday, June 1. The visitation is from 9:30 am to 11:30 am.  The ceremony is from 11:30 am to 12:00 pm. 

The burial will follow at Princeton Cemetery located at 29 Greenview Avenue in Princeton, New Jersey.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Tara Miller Melanoma Foundation Research Fund 
at Penn Medicine. http://givingpages.upenn.edu/rememberingMikeIrene