Irv Yaffa, known in his professional life as Irv Jeffries, 92, of Bloomfield, Ct, formerly of West Hartford and Las Vegas, passed peacefully on Sunday, February 9, 2020. Born in Hartford, CT., Irv lived a life full of music, travel, entrepreneurship and family. He attended Weaver High School in Hartford and then joined the Navy, serving on a destroyer and being part of the Navy Expeditionary Forces. After his service, he completed his music studies at Hillyer College and studied percussion at Hartford Conservatory where he became an accomplished drummer. Irv went on to do many USO tours with his band entertaining troops around the world. This is where he met his future wife, Val, a singer and dancer who was also traveling and entertaining. Irv continued his music career after USO, entertaining for years in Connecticut at various parties and jazz clubs and ultimately spent many years as the band leader at Banner Lodge in Moodus, Ct. where he and his band backed up many nationally recognized actors, singers and comedians. Speaking of comedians, Irv was a tremendous MC who was quick with a joke, had a knack of remembering them all and making people laugh. During the 60’s and 70’s, Irv owned and operated a popular record and music store in West Hartford center, Irv Jeffries’ Music Town. It became a popular destination for teens and young adults during this great period. Irv is survived by a son, Michael and his wife Marci and their children Jamie and Lauren; and a daughter, Kim. In addition to his wife Val, Irv was pre-deceased by his loving sisters Bessie, Sally, and Molly, along with his brothers Charlie and Louie. Special thank you to his doctors and nurses at the Veterans Administration in Newington, and to his home aides who made life easier for him and his family over the past 5+ years.
A graveside funeral service will be at the Middletown State Veterans Cemetery, 317 Bow Lane, Middletown, CT. on Friday, February 14 at 10:00 am. Friends and family are invited to Marci and Michael’s home following the service through 7:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to support.woundedwarriorproject.org
