Andrés Irizarry Troche was born in Hormigueros, Puerto Rico, on 14 February 1915 (claims 4 February). During his childhood, he aspired to become either a doctor or a lawyer. However, his father withdrew him from school in the eighth grade. Consequently, he worked at the Central Eureka for 12 years, where he primarily worked as a sugarcane cutter.

In his adult years, he worked as a barber, visiting clients’ homes to provide his services. Occasionally, he had to make the journey on foot from Hormigueros to Mayagüez. He worked as a cook for three years at the Hotel La Palma in Mayagüez, and for a time he was employed at a nearby clinic.

At some point, he married Valentina Vargas Soto. The couple had nine children.