Robert "Bob" P. Irons Jr.

Robert “Bob” P. Irons Jr., 70, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, November 5th, 2025. 

Born January 17, 1955 to Virginia and Robert Sr., Bob spent his early years in Brooklyn, NY before settling in Long Island with his four siblings, two foster siblings, and cousin. With a head full of red hair (yes, Bob did once have hair), he spent his younger years with his beloved Boy Scout troop, many of whom he kept in touch with all these years later.

After high school, Bob studied hospitality, first at Sullivan County Community College, and later at Florida International University, eventually making his way to Glen Ellyn, Illinois… though he never quite lost that New York accent. He started from the ground up in the restaurant business and worked his way into leadership, spending the longest part of his career as a Joint Venture Partner with Outback Steakhouse. Bob was the ultimate hospitality man, always making sure everyone around him felt welcome, well-fed, and laughing. His colleagues became lifelong friends and family.

Outside the restaurant, Bob gave back to his community through 20 years of service with the Glen Ellyn Volunteer Fire Company, where he answered countless calls, saved lives, and formed deep bonds within his Fire Company.

At home, Bob’s love for family shone through in his own wonderfully unique way, from wrapping Christmas gifts entirely in tin foil to orchestrating practical jokes that became family legend. He raised his three children, Bobby, Rachel, and Brett, with laughter, love, and a steady supply of dad jokes.

Bob loved The Sopranos, Curb Your Enthusiasm, music new and old… from Willie Nelson to Taylor Swift (thanks to his granddaughters), discovering new restaurants, and, of course, his giant pitcher of iced tea. He was happiest when surrounded by people he loved, telling stories, and making sure everyone had enough to eat (because remember “he went to college for that!”)

Bob is survived by his children, Bobby (Laura), Rachel, and Brett (Kristen); his beloved granddaughters, Edie and Margot; his siblings, Peggy Sands (Angelo), Patrick (Renee), Mary Morris (Dave), Timothia Sellers-Hogan (Pat), and Douglas; his cousin Jimmy Fox; his nieces and nephews, Keith Sands, Mark Sands, Adam Sands (Dana), Sarah Morris (Pablo Rivas), Christopher Morris, Paul Irons, Brandon Evans, and Troy Evans. He is also survived by his former wife, Denise DeMars, with whom he shared many years of laughter, family, and love raising their three children together.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Virginia and Robert Sr., and his brother, Kevin Irons (Janet).

Bob’s legacy of humor, generosity, and hospitality lives on in the countless people he fed, befriended, and brought together. The family invites all who knew and loved him to celebrate his life with good stories, good food, and, of course, a lot of jokes.

Visitation at 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm with a Glen Ellyn Fire Dept. walk through at 6:00 pm on Sunday, November 9 at Leonard Memorial Home, 565 Duane Street in Glen Ellyn. Funeral Mass at 11:00 am on Monday, November 10 at St. Petronille Catholic Church, 420 Glenwood Avenue, Glen Ellyn. In lieu of flowers, donations are appreciated to Glen Ellyn Fire Department, 524 Pennsylvania Ave Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 in his name.

Please call Leonard Memorial Home at (630) 469-0032 with any questions on the arrangements.