Albert J. “AJ” Irvin, Jr., a local actor and bartender at The Bike Stop, died April 25 of sepsis. He was 46.
Irvin was a native of Mahanoy City, Pa. He graduated from Mahanoy Area High School in 1989 and went on to graduate from Muhlenberg College in 1993, where he honed his passion for the stage as a drama and theater-arts major.
Irvin performed in musicals with Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre, Civic Theatre of Allentown and the Pennsylvania Stage Company. He went on to regional and national tours, including as Santa Claus alongside the Rockettes in a tour of the “Radio City Christmas Spectacular.”
He was living in New York about a decade ago and would occasionally visit friends in Philadelphia, often stopping by The Bike Stop while in town.
“We got to know each other watching Eagles games at The Bike Stop,” friend Jerry Wehr said. “He was a Philly boy at heart.”
Irvin eventually moved to Philadelphia and started working as a bartender at The Bike Stop.
“Everybody loved him,” Wehr said. “He was very personable, gave everybody attention like they were the most important person in the room. His floor was always the busiest because he was so well-liked. And he was a very good bartender too; nobody waited for a drink even when they were busy because he was so good at what he did.”
Irvin, a member of Actors’ Equity Association, continued to pursue his passion for singing and acting.
“He had such a great singing voice,” Wehr said. “He was so talented. And friends would actually tell him he should do voiceover work because he had such a beautiful, deep voice.”
Irvin is survived by his parents, Sarah and Albert; stepmother, Ann; half-brothers Shawn and Daniel; and extended family members and friends. A memorial service will be held 2:30 p.m. May 7 at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Main and Pine streets in Mahanoy City.
Contributions in Irvin’s name can be made to youth group Active Christian Teens in our Neighborhood, C/O Debbie Walker, 402 E. Pine St., Mahanoy City, Pa. 17948.