Thomas B. Corcoran

Thomas B. Corcoran, 77, passed away on Thursday, July 19, 2018 at Sky Ridge Medical Center. A native of Wilkes-Barre, PA, he was the son of the late Basil & Anna Flynn Corcoran.
Thomas was born on June 11, 1941 at the Corcoran home on 38 Cummiskey Street into a proud and lively Irish-American family. Though his nuclear family was small, he enjoyed strong connections to his extended family of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, and close friends. He attended St. Leo's Catholic School, played on the school's basketball and baseball teams, and served as an altar boy at St. Leo's Church in Ashley, Pennsylvania. He was known to be a good-hearted boy and a loving son, though his mishaps as a youngster were at times a worry for his parents and a headache for his older sister, who was often left in his charge.
Tom's home life was humble but happy. As an adolescent, he worked alongside his father delivering coal and doing odd jobs, which according to him often caused risk to life and limb. Upon graduating high-school, Tom joined the Marine Corps, making him the first in the male line to escape the drudgery of actually working in the mines.
Thomas was enlisted in the service from 1959 to 1963. During his time in the Marines, he was stationed in Hawaii, Okinawa, the Philippines, China and Korea. He served in K-Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division (Fleet Marine Force Atlantic); in E-Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division (Fleet Marine Force Pacific); and finally worked at the Marine Corps Supply Depot in Albany, Georgia. Tom was honorably discharged having attained the rank of Corporal E-4. During his time in the Marines he was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal, and earned Marksmanship Badges for his shooting skills with the .30 caliber rifle and the .45 caliber pistol. Throughout his life, he remained a member of both the Second and Third Marine Division Associations, as well as the American Legion. His experiences as part of the brotherhood of Marines was a lifelong source of pride, and of many, many stories that are well-known to his family and friends.
Upon discharge, the need for employment took him to New Jersey. There, he found a job as a custodian at General Motors. He worked his way up through the ranks of the corporation to become a regional district sales manager. He was a diligent worker who was liked, often loved by those with whom he worked. Many friends made during his career were kept his whole life long.
While living in New Jersey, he also found the love of his life, Elaine, whom he married on September 21, 1968. Their married life took them from New Jersey to Delaware to Michigan to New York State and finally to Colorado. Along the way, Tom and Elaine had two children, MaryEllen (b.1973) and Thomas (b.1982). Life reflected his boyish nature, full of ups and downs, often topped with a dollop of hilarity. Friends, neighbors and family all have tales to tell about him...most of which were also told by Tom himself.
Throughout his life, Thomas was a dedicated and loving husband, father, brother, uncle and friend. He also was a devout Catholic and a proud patriot. He was an honorary lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus, having attained the Fourth Degree and serving terms as Deputy Grand Knight and recently as Faithful Navigator in the Father Robert Syrianey Assembly of Knights at St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Aurora, Colorado. He was also an active participant in St. Michael's Men's Club. Tom thoroughly enjoyed the charitable (and social) aspects of his work in the parish. He had a flare for American history of all eras, and was a long-time member of the American Society of Military Insignia Collectors (ASMIC). Tom was a tireless collector and historian of information and artifacts related to World War II in particular. He spent countless hours researching men and women who served in this war, regularly cross-checking his information with organizations across the country to ensure that the service and sacrifice of these soldiers was documented and memorialized.
Thomas Corcoran was a man who wore many hats, and he wore them well...figuratively, of course, as he could always be easily identified by his red ""9th Marines"" cap, which he was rarely seen without. There are so many who will be heartbroken to know that he had to hang it up. For all of those, the world will never be quite the same without his twinkling eye, quick wit, and kind heart. He sure was swell.
Tom's family would like to extend great gratitude to Denver Hospice caregivers, to staff of Sky Ridge ER and Intensive Care Unit, to the Optio Palliative Care Team, to Tom's Kaiser Permanente Physician Care Team, and especially to Dr. Pierre Onda, who was a great source of care and comfort to Tom over the last two decades, and particularly of late, as he faced extreme health challenges.

In addition to his parents, Thomas was preceded in death by grandson, Chestin Thomas Karnas; father-in-law, Nunzio Notartomaso; brother-in-law, Willard Gdovin
Tom leaves behind his loving wife of nearly 50 years, Elaine Corcoran; children, Mary Ellen Karnas (F. Chet Karnas) and Tom Corcoran (Violeta Hernandez-Duran); grandchildren, Mason Karnas (Ana Montoya), Peter Karnas (Melissa Rodriguez), Harley Karnas, Izaak Corcoran-Krasko and Skylar Karnas; great-grandchildren, Miquela, Brynley, Mase and Mila Karnas; mother-in-law, Pearl Notartomaso; sister, Marietta Gdovin; nephew and nieces, David Gdovin, Mary Frances Licata and Eileen Pulaski.

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made to:
St. Michael the Archangel Knights of Columbus Council #11732
19099 E. Floyd Avenue
Aurora, CO 80013-3703
(or to a charity of your choice)

A recitation of the rosary will be conducted on: Tuesday, July 31st, 6:00 PM at Horan-McConaty Family Chapel, 11150 E. Dartmouth Ave., Aurora, CO, 80014, followed by viewing/visitation, 6:30-8:00 PM.
A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, August 1st at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 19099 E. Floyd Ave., Aurora, CO 80013. A reception will follow in the church hall. A military graveside and committal service will follow at 2:30 PM at Fort Logan National Cemetery. Active pallbearers are Izaak Corcoran-Krasko, F. Chet Karnas, Mason Karnas, Tom Scifres, and Jackie, Kathleen and Rachel Laughton. All those wishing to attend should assemble at staging area B at 2:15 PM.

www.HoranCares.com

Recitation of the Rosary : July 31, 2018 6:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Horan & McConaty - SE Denver/Aurora
11150 E. Dartmouth Ave.
Aurora, CO 80014

Visitation: July 31, 2018 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Horan & McConaty - SE Denver/Aurora
11150 E. Dartmouth Ave.
Aurora, CO 80014

Funeral Mass: August 1, 2018 10:30 am

St. Michael the Archangel
19099 E. Floyd Ave.
Aurora, CO 80013
3036906797
http://stmichael-aurora.org/

Reception: August 1, 2018 11:30 am - 1:30 pm

St. Michael the Archangel
19099 E. Floyd Ave.
Aurora, CO 80013
3036906797
http://stmichael-aurora.org/

Graveside Service: August 1, 2018 2:30 pm

Fort Logan National Cemetery
3698 S. Sheridan Blvd.
Denver, CO 80236