Irvin S Livingood

Irv Livingood, 69, of Florence, SC, passed away at his home early in the morning, a cosmic joke because he hated mornings. He is survived by his loving wife Sally, his son Matt, their daughter Shelly, and step-son Alex. He had 5 Grandchildren, Adam, Sam and Sean by his son and Alex and Charlotte by his daughter. Also surviving is his aptly named sister Sally Livingood Spatz.

Irv retired after 38 years as a fleet mechanic for Muhlenberg Township and then quickly moved his ass to Florence South Carolina to get away from the S*** (Snow was a curse word to him). He enjoyed fixing up his house, tinkering with his 4th child - the 1967 T-bird, and hanging with his friends - of note Andy Tibbit who took particular care and gave significant love to Irv.

In Pennsylvania, he was known as quite the handyman, having a side business fixing other peoples broken stuff for many years. And there was always something he could fix, or he would teach himself the skills so he could. He knew how to reupholster furniture, plumb, frame, run electrical - you name it, he could do it.

He loved his son Matt, and was his wrestling coach for 6 years with the MTAA. Irv also served on the Board of the MTAA and had great pride in the work he had done for the association. After coaching, he moved on to be an official for the PIAA, driving to many matches at ungodly times in the morning in order to officiate matches. He loved the kids and did all he could for them.

His true passion was as a mechanic, particularly engines. He helped his then Brother-In-Law Scott Haus on his modified dirt track racing team, at one point helping them to win the point championship 2 years in a row. And, as mentioned above, he had a great love for his 1967 Thunderbird. After nearly 20 years, it is completely restored with ALL original manufactured parts except for the impressive sound system. Because of course he always had to have music.

Music always surrounded him, it sometimes being how he communicated best with those around him. Irv, along with his wife worked as a mobile DJ as ROCK OF AGES. He got a kick out of being paid to play the music that he would be playing anyway. He even set up his van for music and would roll around to his friends' homes at Christmas time to play them Christmas carols out if it. He wired his Boyer street home for music and would often be heard blasting his music on his deck that he built. He loved sitting with his friends, talking and laughing and drinking until forever if he could. He was a man who worked hard and played hard because he earned it. He enjoyed a good laugh, and was also known to be quite the prankster.

However, in 2006 he ran for the 126th state Congressional Seat in Pennsylvania. While he did not win the race, Irv was proud of the work he put into it, the friends he made along the way, and himself for having the courage to do it in the first place. Friends speculate he could have won had he tried again, but by then he was looking forward to his retirement - and his well deserved rest.

His family and friends love him fiercely and ask that any final gifts in his memory be made to the Humane Society of Florence or the Berks Animal Rescue League.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 6-8 PM on Friday, August 30, 2019 at Cain Calcutt Funeral Home.

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