Irwin Kaplan, 85, of Bloomfield, passed away quietly on Wednesday, September 4, 2008 after a brief illness at the Duncaster Caleb Hitchcock Clinic in Bloomfield. Mr. Kaplan was born in Torrington, January 27, 1923 to Bertha (White) Kaplan and Samuel Kaplan, both of Torrington. The late Samuel Kaplan was a violinist with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra for many years. Irwin was a graduate of Weaver High School, Hartford, class of 1941. There he met and soon after married his high school sweetheart, Dawn Solomkin of Hartford. Prior to his retirement in 2003, Irwin was employed by Stop & Shop of Bloomfield and previously by the Hartford Courant. For many years prior, Irwin was co-owner of Bib?s Shoes in West Hartford Center. Irwin was well known at the Bloomfield Senior Center. He will be remembered for his amiable personality and his love of nature and all things living. Along with his parents, Irwin was predeceased by his beloved wife, Dawn of Bloomfield, and his brother Ronald Kaplan of West Hartford and Clinton. Irwin?s greatest pride and joy, in addition to his wife Dawn, was their children and grandchildren. He is survived by his children, Richard M. Kaplan and his wife Cathy of West Hartford, Carol Kaplan Perlin and her husband Mitchell of Madisonville, LA, and Samuel H. Kaplan of Bloomfield, as well as by a sister, Carol Radeen and her husband Jerry of West Hartford, a sister-in-law Honore Kaplan of Mexico, a sister-in-law Ruth Solomkin of West Hartford; four beloved grandchildren: Tracy Kaplan of New York, NY, Brandon Kaplan of Ridgewood, NY, and Jenna and Zachary Perlin of Madisonville, LA, several nieces and nephews, and by his beloved dog Jess, along with numerous shared family pets. The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff of St. Francis Hospital & Medical Center, seventh floor, and the Caleb Hitchcock Rehabilitation Center at Duncaster for their outstanding care and compassion. Funeral and burial will be private by Irwin’s request. Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Kaplan’s memory to The Friends of Animals, 777 Post Rd., Suite 205, Darien, CT 06820 (www.friendsofanimals.org). Arrangements are entrusted to Weinstein Mortuary, Hartford. To share memories of Mr. Kaplan with his family, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com.