David E. Irving of Rowley, who graduated from Lynn Classical High School in 1961 and went back to teach history there for 40 years, died on October 18, 2026. He was 83.
He was born in Providence, the son of the Rev. Leslie Irving and Lucy (Burwood) Irving. After Lynn Classical he earned a degree in social science at Alderson Broaddus College in West Virginia and master’s degrees in history and education at Salem State. He served with the Army’s 1st Air Cavalry Division in Vietnam from 1967 to 1969.
His teaching career ran more than 45 years, most of it at Classical, where he also coached baseball, advised classes and ran international exchange programs; he taught as well at Cambridge College. He served 30 years on the Whittier Regional Vocational Technical School Committee, and at the First Congregational Church of Rowley he was senior deacon emeritus and longtime clerk.
He leaves his wife, Donna L. Irving; his daughter, Diane Ellis of Sterling; his son, Edward Ellis and his wife Elena Crespo of New York City; his grandchildren, Rachel Busby of Somerville and Cristina Ellis of New York City, both Harvard students in whom he took great pride; and his sisters, Marjorie Hubbard of Litchfield, Conn., and Meredith Treska of Lake Placid, N.Y.
Visiting hours are Friday, October 23 at 1 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 175 Main Street, Rowley, followed by a celebration of life at 2 and a reception. Burial is private. The family suggests donations to the church. Arrangements are by F. S. Roberts and Son Funeral Home.
Compiled from information published by Rowley, MA. Photograph courtesy of the family via Rowley, MA. This is our own summary, not the family’s obituary; read the full obituary and leave a condolence at the funeral home’s page on Legacy.com. Corrections: we will fix any error promptly.
