Corcoran, Joe
September 11, 2009
Joe Corcoran - big man with a big heart
Joe Corcoran was a man of many talents, and a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend.
His death, on Saturday 22 August, has left an immeasurable void in the lives of those who were fortunate enough to have known him.
Born in Barrack Street, Carlow, in 1931, Joe was one of eight children. It was not because of his stature that his siblings, Michael (RIP), Johnnie (RIP), Tommy, Jimmy, Rosie, Cathleen (RIP) and Patti (RIP) referred to him as Big Fellow; it was because of the big heart and the love that he shared among his family and friends. Joe was loved by his cousins Rita, Thomas (RIP) and Cathleen Moore, who were also reared by his mother at Barrack Street.
In 1952, he wed his beloved Bridie, and for 57 years of married life at No 22 Roncalli Place, Carlow, he spoke of his wife with great love and affection in almost every sentence he uttered.
The couple had seven: Marie (London), Ann (Carlow), Patti (Carlow), Michael (Carlow), Liam (Carlow), David (Carlow) and Katrina (London). Joe seldom spoke without mentioning one of their names with great pride and affection.
Joe had great love for his 15 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. One of his many characteristics was that he never spoke a bad word of anyone. His passion for cowboy films, particularly John Wayne westerns, brought him great joy, as well as sitting in front of the television on a Sunday afternoon, surrounded by his grandchildren, watching Tom and Jerry cartoons.
His grandchildren fondly remember being picked up after school on a rainy day, and enjoying the ride home, sitting on bundles of The Nationalist.
One of his favourite television characters was Compo from the BBC's Last of the Summer Wine series.
Music was a great love and passion in Joe's life. He was a fan of Nat King Cole and Pavarotti, and could be heard belting out a tune or two, or three, at Carlow Workman's Club.
He was a great fisherman, and enjoying nothing more than fishing at Milford, at Fethard-on-Sea or at Dunmore East.
His gardening work was recognised by Carlow Tidy Towns committee. Joe also bred caged birds, and was a keen sport fan. He played football for the Fairymount GAA Club in Crettyard, and during the 1950s togged out for O'Hanrahan's.
Joe started work at Carlow sugar factory. From there he moved to Thompson's, where he worked as a steel erector. He ended his working like at The Nationalist, where he worked as a van driver.
Apart from being a well-known face in counties Carlow, Kildare and Laois, Joe Corcoran was also well-known among Carlow's student and army set, regularly giving them a lift in the Nationalist van. With the aid of the same vehicle, Joe was a great help moving families into their new homes.
In 2005, the Corcoran family suffered a cruel blow when Joe was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. After being cared for in his home by Bridie and his family, Joe was looked after by the staff at St James's Ward at the Sacred Heart Hospital for the final 16 months of his life.
The care Joe received during the final days of his life was second-to-none, and his family is grateful that his final moments on this earth were as painless and dignified as possible.
Joe Corcoran died as he would have wanted, surrounded by his loving wife, Bridie and his family.
May he rest in peace.
Courtesy of the Nationalist
September 11th, 2009
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