Crash victims burial held up
Toolbox
By Cristina Kumka STAFF WRITER - Published: August 22, 2009
Family members of a prominent Miami attorney killed in a crash in Mendon on Wednesday are grieving and scrambling at the same time, trying to determine how they will come together from all over the country to give him a proper burial.
Irving Herris, 86, of Palm Beach, Fla., was killed in a fatal crash this week with his wife Virginia by his side, on Route 4 outside the Cortina Inn after they collided with a truck driven by Frank Lepore, of Granville, who remains in critical condition. The man fishtailed into the Herrises' lane after losing control of his truck in a rainstorm, police said.
Family members believe the couple, who loved tennis, traveling and gourmet foods, were in Killington visiting friends and were headed back down to a condominium in Manchester, owned by one of Irving's daughters, nephew Jeff Herris said Friday.
"We're still trying to piece together what happened," Herris said, as the family figures out how to get the couple home and where to hold a funeral.
Irving Herris was a successful corporate attorney and accountant in the south Florida city for nearly 60 years, Herris said.
He graduated the University of Miami in 1952, was married twice and has three daughters, ranging in age and location — living in Boston, New York and Orlando.
Between 2007 and 2008, Irving and his second wife Virginia donated thousands of dollars back to the school as part of their philanthropy, according to the school.
Irving's nephew said his uncle was hardworking, retired early and later in his life adopted a lifestyle of "doing what he wanted when he wanted to do it."
Irving Herris, a lifelong native of the Sunshine State, bought properties in Florida and Vermont and would constantly fly family members to his Vermont vacation home for reunions.
Irving and Virginia played tennis every morning and were inseparable, Herris said.
"They were a happy couple," he said. "(It's) a very sad occasion for this entire family to deal with."
Herris said Irving's mother passed away not too long ago.
She was 103.
cristina.kumka@rutlandherald.com
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