"Growing up in the Lewiston area on the farm very close to the Corcoran's. I have had the honor to be friends with Corkie, playing softball, bowling, volleyball and other sports with Corkie I keeped up with what was going on with the family. Jerry was much loved and will be missed. My condolences to the entire Corcoran family."
In loving memory of
Gerald P. Corcoran
January 1, 1900 - January 20, 2008
Gerald Paul Corcoran, 84, died on January 20, 2008 at Lake Winona Manor in Winona, MN.
Jerry's life was filled with laughter and love and we have been blessed to be with him. He was a big man with a big and open heart, and is now with his God in Heaven. Born in Witoka, Minnesota, he grew up in the countryside around Ridgeway, Money Creek, Paradise Valley and Fremont. As a young man he was a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps working on crews in Fergus Falls and Lake City. His World War II Navy career was spent aboard the newly commissioned Destroyer USS Massey (DD 778), which served in the Pacific Theatre. On January 27, 1948 he married the love of his life, the petite and pretty Mary Leoba Patzner Corcoran on a day so cold the roses froze solid between the car and the church. After early marriage years in the Winona/Lewiston area, they lived in Hokah, Minnesota where he was a bricklayer and cement mason. Following Hokah, they farmed near Lewiston Minnesota where he was also a masonry contractor.
Jerry loved to fish, play golf, play cards, visit with friends and family, and through his enormous spirit and great good humor gathered wonderful people around him. He was always willing and more than able to lend a helping hand wherever he was needed. He was everywhere a valued parishioner and family man. We are all the better for knowing and loving him.
He was an unusually skilled bricklayer and stone mason; a hard worker, fast and efficient, and his life's work supports and graces 100's of homes and commercial buildings around the area. In his prime, he could lay 1,000 brick in a day's work. Mary and Jerry retired from farming to Winona in 1987 when Jerry pretended to retire from bricklaying. Finally in 2000, he said it was the first time in 20 years that he hadn't 'wet a trowel.'
Mary and Jerry loved to travel and drove through the 48 contiguous United States, all in the same car, and mostly for USS Massey ship's reunions which he and lifelong friends initiated in 1989. In between they made religious pilgrimages to Yugoslavia, Portugal and Argentina, as well as leisure travel to Alaska, Hawaii, Jamaica, Canada and the Panama Canal.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents George and Helena (Lena) Buchholz Corcoran, his brothers Thomas and William Corcoran, and his sisters Margaret (Don) Golish, Winifred (Bill) Kiral and Lucille (Roy) Hoover, and other siblings who died in childhood during the flu epidemic.
He is much missed by his loving wife and friend of 59 years, Mary Leoba Patzner Corcoran, and their children and grandchildren: Patricia Halverson; Francine Corcoran; Gregory and Roberta Corcoran and their children Hannah, Louis and Caleb; Bernard and Debbie Corcoran and their children Diana, Ajalon and Renee; Theresa Corcoran; Christopher and Linda Corcoran and Chris' daughters Megan and Chelsea; Mary Jane and Jeffrey Scherbring and their children Katie Corcoran, Collin, Jessica and Sarah Scherbring; and Lisa Corcoran.
A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Stanislas Kostka Catholic Church on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008, at 11:00am with the Reverend Thomas J. Hargesheimer officiating. Friends may call at Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service Hansen Goodview Chapel on Tuesday from 4-8:00pm and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Military Honors will be conducted outside the church on Wednesday following the service by the American Legion of Winona. At his request, he will be cremated following the service. Burial is at the churchyard at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Lewiston, Minnesota, where, for bartered work, his headstone awaits.
Please share a memory of Gerald with the family or view his video tribute at: www.hofffuneral.com
Tribute video can be found at: http://videos.lifetributes.com/?id=13793
Tributes
"To the entire Corcoran family my heartfelt sympathy to you on the loss of your husband, father and grandfather. May the wonderful memories of the past comfort you at this time. I feel forunate to have come to know this kind man. God Bless."
"We were saddened to hear of Jerry's passing. We will always remember him as a great guy who lived life to the fullest."
"We got to know Gerald when our mother was at Lake Winona Manor. He was a friendly person and was always smiling while he walked around with his wife, who he was quite fond of, this was obvious. Our sympathies go out to his family. We know they will miss him very much."
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"I knew Jerry's parents and brothers and sisters. He was always friendly and talked about old times. Our sympathy to you and loss ofa great We were neighbors to the Corcorans years ago. That is when we were in grade school. I remember when Don and Margaret had twins and one baby died ad I was there to view that baby. Our sympathy to all of you. "
"I knew Jerry's parents and brothers and sisters. He was always friendly and talked about old times. Our sympathy to you and loss ofa great We were neighbors to the Corcorans years ago. That is when we were in grade school. I remember when Don and Margaret had twins and one baby died ad I was there to view that baby. Our sympathy to all of you. "
"I knew Jerry's parents and brothers and sisters. He was always friendly and talked about old times. Our sympathy to you and loss ofa great We were neighbors to the Corcorans years ago. That is when we were in grade school. I remember when Don and Margaret had twins and one baby died ad I was there to view that baby. Our sympathy to all of you. "
"Our deepest sympathy, thoughts and prayers to the Corcoran family at this difficult time. Jerry always had a smile on his face and a story to tell whenever you would meet him out and about. Remember him out on the road in front of our house many times in years gone by, picking up worms after a heavy rain â?? Jerry always said he knew where to find the worms before heading for his fishing trip(s)!! Always treasure the memories of your loved one â?? God Bless! Larry & Sharon Gudmundson "
"Unfortunately I didnâ??t personally know Gerry, but Iâ??m sure I heard him cheering at the Lewiston girlâ??s basketball games (Class of 84). I do however know Lisa and Mary Jane, and if they are reflection of their dad, I know he was wonderful man. My condolences to you and your family and especially to Lisa &, Mary (Jeff) Scherbring. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you."
"Gerald was a true friend, full of life and humor always ready with a helping hand. He was loved much and will be missed. Sid & Bonnie Hill"
"I'm sorry for the loss of another USS MASSEY DD 778 shipmate. I was on the MASSEY 1963-1965. I'm sure he will be remembered Always."
"Gerry was very specieal to me for he always asked me "hows soldier boy doing?", referring to my son whose is serving in the Army, that we talked about frequently. Gerry also had a smile on his face whenever I talked with him. I will always remember him and miss him. Gerry, now you are an Angle in Heaven so please watch over my soldier boy for me. God Bless You, Gerry."
"Growing up in Lewiston and attending St.Rose, it was impossible not to know and admire Gerry and Mary Corcoran. They were rich in family and strong in their beliefs. My condolences to Mary and the entire Corcoran family. A special condolence to Lisa and Mary (Jeff) and please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. Mo"
"Grandpa, you were the best grandfather in the world. I love you!"
"Your whole family is my thoughts and prayers. I was one of the nurses at LWM that took care of Gerry. He was always able to put a smile on so many faces. He will be missed by many."
"Grandpa, you were the best grandfather anybody could ask for. You will be sorely missed, and I love you lots!!"
"I got to visit with Gerry a couple of years ago. We sat around telling stories of past years and it was like going back in time remebering things like they just happened moments ago. I'll never forget the visits to each others homes, knowing a card game would soon take place followed with laughter, and freindly banter. Then suddenly there would be a thunderous roar of a fist slamming a card down to win the trick, followed by more laughter. You can sum up Gerry in simple words. He was a true measure of a man"
"Jerry, as he was known to all of us was an inspiration to everyone he came in contact with. His perceverence at whatever he tackled brought him success and happiness. I'm sure if he had known that our Joe and Chris had the time of their life throwing a BASKETFUL of eggs at our house he'd have been out therepolicing them until the mess was cleaned up. We did not discover what had been going on until after they had gone home. Consequently, Paul ended up having to help Joe clean the mess. To say the least, he was rather disturbed about that. No animosity is held because of the incident and it has been a topic of "fun" conversation ever since. Mary, do you remember how the Loftuses and Ihrkes initiated your house in Hokah when you were gone. I don't remember how we gained entry but now giggle about how we could have been arrested for being so stupid. Fun it was though. Nothing was damaged----just rearranged. I'm sure you and Jerry figured out right awaywho the culprits were."
"We are so sorry to hear of Gerry's passing. We only got to work with Gerry a couple of times, and those times were very rewarding. We enjoyed hearing his stories about his family, as well as laughing at his many jokes. He will be greatly missed and we are glad to have had the opportunity to meet him."
"Our condolences to the Corcoran family. We remember your dad and what a mason he was. Bernie and Teresa (TC) were our school mates and our thoughts are with you. Your Dad was from the greatest generation living through the Great Depression and World War II. That generation had so many lessons they carried with them and that they passed along to us. Hold on to those lessons and memories. Denny and Kim Wirt"
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"I remember a gentle strong man who made your day brighter with his attitude and his smile. I recall when I was younger cleaning a calf pen and complaining about having to do it. Jerry picked up a fork and moved the manure to forks to our one. The whole time with a smile on his face."