Albert Joseph, "Joe", Irons, age 89, peacefully passed away surrounded by his loving family on December 15, 2023.

Born in Wilmington, Joe was the son of the late Charles Albert and Christine Marie Irons. Joe graduated from Salesianum High School and began working at Diamond State Telephone at the age of 17.  He eventually retired from Verizon Delaware at the age of 75, after 58 years of service.  In his retirement, Joe enjoyed working at Three Little Bakers Country Club and the David Finney Inn as a bartender. Joe loved jazz music and spent many years playing drums in his band, The Minute Men, who played at various locations in the tri-state area.  Most recently he played Saturday afternoons at Slip Mahoney's as "Joe Irons and Friends."  Joe always enjoyed spending time with his friends at Mary's Kountry Kitchen each week.  He loved playing cards with his family and friends as well as trips to the Harrington Casino. Most importantly, "Pop," as he was known by his family, loved spending time at family dinners with his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  He will be remembered for his great stories, joke telling, wonderful sense of humor and his kindness to others.

In addition to his parents, Joe is predeceased by his grandson, Matthew Irons. Joe is survived by his wife of 69 years, Mary "Lu" Irons; his children and their spouses, Albert Joseph Irons, Jr. (Diane), Victoria L. Irons, John J. Irons (Kathy), James E. Irons (Donna), and Jeffrey S. Irons; his grandchildren, Amanda Irons-Dansby (David), Kristy Irons-Clarke (Carter), Christopher Creed (Toni), Michael Creed (Caitlin), Megan Creed, Kate Irons, Danielle Irons, Marisa Irons, Zach Irons, Jeffrey Irons, Christine Irons, Amanda Pennington and Joseph Hardin (Heather); his great grandchildren, Dani Ella Creed, Charli Dansby, Alivia, Dominick and Jay Irons, Kyrah, Winter and Sky Irons, Brielle and Connor Hardin, and Winter Pennington; his brother, James Irons (Marie); and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.

A visitation will be held on Thursday December 21st, 2023, from 11 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. with a Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 1:00 P.M. at St. Matthew's Catholic Church, 901 E. Newport Gap Pike, Wilmington, DE 19804. Interment will follow at All Saints Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105.  Online condolences may be made to mealeyfuneralhomes.com