James Michael Corcoran peacefully passed away on June 21, 2022, in Hopkinton, NH at the age of 92. Jim was born during the Great Depression, in July 1929, to Michael James Corcoran and Edith Catherine (Van Wickler) Corcoran in Oyster Bay, New York.

When Jim was 13 his father died unexpectedly and Jim, being the eldest child, went to work on his grandparents' farm in Meredith, NY, to help support his mother and his siblings. This is the man who Jim was throughout his entire life – hardworking and doing whatever was necessary to take care of his family. Jim excelled at everything he put his hand to – when he retired from LILCO (Long Island Lighting Co.) after 45 years of service he was given a plaque on which was written "The Wizard" because he never faced a problem that he could not find a solution to.

When Jim was 18, he enlisted in the US Marine Corps and was deployed overseas during the Korean War. He was stationed in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean before being shipped to Korea. Ranking as a Staff Sergeant, and a Mortar Unit Leader, he participated in the capture and securing of Seoul, Korea, as well as in the renowned Wonsan-Hungnam-Chosin campaign. He served honorably for four years during which time he was wounded in action twice, earning a purple heart among other awards and medals. Jim spoke very little about his time at war but he did mention more than once how frigid cold it was and that the US military men did not have the proper clothing for winter in North Korea.

After returning stateside, Jim met and married Marion Pearsall. Jim and Marion moved to Islip Terrace, NY, where they raised six children and lived in the same home for 40 years. Upon retirement, Jim and Marion moved to Hartwick, NY, which was the place of Jim's heart, where they spent many years living in the beautiful home he had built for them.

Jim had a variety of interests and hobbies including gardening, keeping honeybees, and carpentry. He was often found dedicating his time and efforts to the church he and Marion attended, where he also served as a deacon and an elder. Jim had a sharp wit and a great sense of humor. He enjoyed teasing his wife by making jokes that would make her giggle and laughingly reprimand him. Some of the fondest memories his children have are the many visits spent with his mother, and later on his siblings and their families, in upstate NY, laughing and joking around the dinner table, going to auctions and fairs, swimming and cooking out at Powers Pond, and building the home Jim and Marion retired to. He was a good father who loved and selflessly provided for his family in many ways and with steadfastness.

Jim also loved his country – he took his kids to 4th of July and Memorial Day parades annually; every Veteran's Day he was found seeking out veterans in order to buy poppies for him and his family to wear in remembrance of America's fallen heroes. Despite all the hardships Jim had faced throughout his life he was a tough-as-nails kind of guy who always moved forward, never looking back. Above all else, he honored God. He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 65 years, Marion Gail (Pearsall) Corcoran; parents Michael J Corcoran and Edith (Van Wickler) Corcoran Stanley; brother, Edward Corcoran; sister, Francis Mason; and granddaughter, Kaitlin Reardon. He is survived by his sisters, Margaret Dean, Edith Curran, and Mary Perry (Dick); brother, Michael Corcoran (Pat); sons, James Corcoran Jr. (Ellie) and Michael Corcoran (Pam); daughters, Linda Reardon (Gary), Carol Cabrera (Nestor), Anne Corcoran-Morse (Rob), and Edith Ellingson (Jim); 13 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life with military honors will be held on September 4, 2022 at 12pm at the Seventh-day Adventist Church, 634 NY-205, Oneonta, NY.