AUBURN — Leon “Chip” E. Irish, 70, of Auburn, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 29, at the Hospice House, after a valiant 6 year fight with cancer.

(Chip) was born in Sherman, March 25, 1941, the son of Helen and William Irish. When Chip was a young boy, the family moved to Augusta, then South China, where he attended grammar school and Erskine Academy.

In 1963, he married Pat Sparkes and they lived in Waldoboro until moving to Greene in 1968. In 1987, they moved to Auburn, where they remained.

Chip was in the egg processing business for approximately 20 years with H.P Hood in Waldoboro, Maine Egg Farms in Greene and Dorothy Egg Farms in Winthrop. He then worked for Philips Elmet until purchasing Auburn Lanes, where he remained for 15 years. He was then employed by LL Bean until his retirement, due to ill health.

In addition to being an avid hunter, he also enjoyed bowling, golfing, fishing and woodworking. In earlier years, he had enjoyed the competition of candlepin bowling. He won many events including the 1983 televised Maine State Candlepin Bowling tournament. However, his greatest joy was when he was with his grandchildren.

In addition to his wife of 48 years, he is survived by one daughter, Laurie Nichols of Auburn; three grandchildren, Sarah, Tyler and Katie Nichols; along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by his parents; one brother, Hugh Irish; and one sister, Nancy Conley.

We wish to express our gratitude to the Auburn Hospice House for their loving care. There are no earthly words to express our gratitude.

Messages of condolence may be sent to the family of Chip Irish at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.