Obituary of Dr. Felix S. Ira, Jr.

Felix S. Ira, 91, peacefully passed away on Saturday, March 20, 2021 surrounded by his family.

Born in Manila, the Philippines Oct 14th, 1929, he was the son of Carmen Salumbides Ira of Lopez, Quezon (PI) and Felix Ira-Concepcion of Meycauayan, Bulacan (PI). As a 12 year old during WWII, he served as tent boy for American GIs in Manila; he knew the American aircraft by the sound of their engines or their shadows on the ground. Felix was a graduate of Ateneo. He received his medical degree from University of the Philippines. In 1954, he came to the US for his residency at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany where he met the love of his life, Marilyn Jean Huffman. They were married 63 years and together raised 6 children. Felix proudly became an American citizen in 1968 and kept strong ties to the Philippines: he was a founder and president of the Albany Bayanihan Assn. He will be remembered as a dedicated husband, dad and physician. He touched many lives with his sense of humor and calm demeanor. He treated patients in private medical practice and as attending physician at St. Peter’s (where he was Ping Pong champion), Memorial Hospital, Ann Lee and Albany County Nursing Homes, and Our Lady of Hope. Felix loved his garden, playing basketball and golf, and traveling. He and Marilyn explored the Caribbean, Europe, China, and the Polynesian islands. His favorite escape was their yearly trip to Maui. Felix is predeceased by his wife, Marilyn, and brothers Renato Ira of Quezon City and Jose Ira of Manila and Queens, NY.

He is survived by 6 children, David (Susan) of Selkirk, Jeffrey of Delmar, Stephen (Melissa) of Harrison City, PA, Gregory (Lori) of Colonie, Joanne (Michael) Hogan of Hastings-on-Hudson, NY and Kimberly (Seamus) Higgins of Bangor, ME; as well as 17 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren and 1 more on the way.

Viewing Hours at Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave., Delmar on Thursday, Mar 25, 4 to 6pm. Funeral will be held at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 35 Adams Pl, Delmar on Friday, Mar 26, 10am. Masks and social distancing will be honored. Interment to follow at St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands. Donations may be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.