SEBAGO- Sebago- Brent “Bubba” “Santa” Wade Irish, age 66, passed away on January 23, 2026, surrounded by his family and Beacon Hospice Services at Coastal Manor in Yarmouth, ME, after a lengthy battle with multiple illnesses.
He was born in Portland, Maine at Mercy Hospital on July 13, 1959. He was raised and attended schools in Merrimack, NH before joining the US Army in 1976, where he served until 1979. In the US Army, he aided with Field Direction (13E), achieved numerous licenses for Trucks and Tanks, and obtained a Secret Clearance and Rank E-4. He then worked at W.R. Grace & Co. before moving into a long career in the field of Construction, serving multiple companies throughout his career as an Equipment Operator and Truck Driver.
His education history includes GED; US Army schooling for print and maps concerning elevations, distances for field direction (13E); Foley-Belsaw Institute-Small Engine Mechanic; NRI School-Air Conditioning and Refrigeration; and some knowledge of electrical and plumbing.
In 1977, He married his first love from high school, the late Laurie Irish, with whom he shares a daughter with. In 1985, he married the longtime love of his life, Gertrude Irish, whom he met while working at W.R. Grace & Co and accepted her family as his own. Together, they built a home in Amherst, NH, where they shared their life during their marriage. While he was no longer married for the last 15 years of his life, he continued loving relationships with his 2nd ex-wife, children, and grandchildren.
During his life, Brent enjoyed hunting, fishing, riding motorcycles (especially to Laconia, NH’s bike week), NASCAR, cooking and barbecuing (he was a phenomenal Chef), reading books and magazines, listening to music and collecting stuff to do “projects.” Two of his famous sayings remembered by family was he was always “Getting around to it,” and “I just called to say I love you.” He loved his family, enjoyed talking on the phone, and visiting with them. He enjoyed spending most of his time outside with nature and being in the company of animals. He loved having a pet to love, whether it was a cat, dog, rabbit, or a “visiting” raccoon, fox, squirrel, bird, or deer.
Brent is pre-deceased by his father, Richard “Dick” Irish of Sebago, ME; paternal grandparents, Franklin and Helen Irish of Sebago, ME; and maternal grandparents, Alfred and Irene Jewell of West Baldwin, ME.
Brent is survived by his mother, Claire Irish of Sebago, ME; daughter, Aimy Caswell and her husband Eddy of Manchester, NH; daughter, Tina Orr of Amherst, NH; granddaughter, Cari Caswell of Manchester, NH; granddaughter, Alyssa Caswell and her partner Jack of Lowell, MA; grandson, Tyler Orr of Boston, MA; grandson DJ Parker and his wife Brielle with great-grandson Knoxon of Concord, NH; brother, Joel Irish and his wife Jane of Amherst, NH; sister, Robin Irish of Eugene, Oregon; along with uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Burial and private service will be held at Sebago Cemetery when weather permits.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home, Cornish, www.mainefuneral.com
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