Irvin James Haigler Jr.

Irvin James Haigler Jr, was born in Stamford Connecticut on May 9th in 1967. He was the son of the late Irvin James Haigler Sr. and Lillie Mae Dwight, currently of Orangeburg, South Carolina. Irvin was raised in a loving home along with his siblings; Beatrice (predeceased), Willie James, Andrew, Marion, and Darryl. They grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, New York where Irvin enjoyed drawing, eventually rapping, and playing every sport under the sun, mainly basketball. We all know, “Pumpkin” which is how he is best known and will be forever be remembered, was never the tallest person on the court but he always had the most heart and would not be denied!

Irvin attended Clara Barton High School and graduated in 1985. From that point on, he spent his years creating a legacy…whether it was in a studio making mixtapes, sculpting comic book characters, or the next big business plan, Irvin was part of it all. His passion also included a love of cars and video games, which is what he liked to discuss the most. There wasn’t anyone he wouldn’t challenge to a race in Grand Turismo and he frequently won. His easy-going nature only served to help him hide an intense urge for great, excitable debates, which were always within reach. He never let anything keep him down while pursuing a new venture and he never sat still – his mind was always in motion with a relentless pursuit of the next big thing that no one had thought of yet.

We would be remiss if we did not to mention his alter-ego! His rapping name was “E-L Ness, alias El-Capone” and was the greatest rapper… in our family. He had volumes of written rhymes and would rhyme anytime at the drop of a dime off the top of his head. His creativity and skills were on full display in 1997 while working at the Van Dyke Housing Project Youth Center. In partnership with Brooklyn’s Restoration Plaza’s Drug Elimination Project, Pumpkin spearheaded and produced a fully-funded documentary aimed at ending gun violence in Brooklyn neighborhoods. After the viewing, he then performed the soundtrack that he had produced, on stage with his brother Darryl as the closing act at The Historic Billie Holiday Theatre in Brooklyn. It was also during his time at the Youth Center where he met Lashawn and soon began raising a family. Pumpkin and Lashawn met in Bushwick in 1993 and moved their family from Brooklyn to New Haven Connecticut in 2013, which is where he spent the remainder of his years.

He was so proud of his children. He would sneakily find a way to weave-in a story about any one of them into any conversation and always spoke glowingly – his face would light up with excitement for what you all will become.

He is survived and missed by his wife Lashawn Chappel and his loving daughters Nikeyia, Malika, Teila, Courtney, Brittany, Monique (predeceased), and son, Isaiah. Forever cherished by his three grandchildren, Layla, Dayon, and Kiley. He was also known for getting into wild adventures with a large, close group of cousins spanning from Brooklyn, Stamford, and Orangeburg. He will be remembered and missed so dearly by that large village of cousins, including nieces, nephews, and aunts. Also, the neighborhoods of Bed-Stuy and Brownsville in Brooklyn where people loved him.

His legacy will carry on, forever reminding us that we control our directions in life and that we should choose to live a life full of meaningful acts of service, passion, and love.

Family and friends are welcome to attend his celebration of life which will be held at Colonial Funeral in Hamden, CT. on Friday, April 14th. The viewing starts at 12pm and the service follows immediately after at 1pm. Condolences maybe expressed at www.colonialfunerals.com