No one has ever been certain of Irv's given name-whether it was Irvin, Irving, or just Irv.
Irv was born in Chicago on January 3, 1921, the second child of August Saidat and Bertha Neumann. When his mother died and his father remarried, Irv and his brother, Otto, remained at their father's home, while their father moved to his new bride's home a few blocks away.
At the age of 18, Irv joined the Merchant Marines and often told wonderful tales of his travels. He also brought home many unique and exotic gifts for his brother and sister-in-law, Elsie. After his discharge, he worked as a boiler inspector throughout California.
Irv married Ellen, and they lived on a houseboat in San Jose, California for many years. After Ellen died, in 1989, Irv moved to a mobile home in San Jose.
Irv was hospitalized after an accident in November of 1993, and eventually was moved to a convalescent home in Elmhurst, Illinois, to be near his brother. He died there in April of 1994.
Irv and Ellen had no children.
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