James Corcoran

Life Legacy James Paul Corcoran “Corky” died peacefully at home in Camarillo, CA on September 21, 2016 at the age of 71. Paul is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Elizabeth Toth, loving daughter, Lisa Marie (Eyal) Erez and adored grandsons, Eli Zvi and Liam Jacob; siblings Martin (Faye) Corcoran of South Africa, Mary Elizabeth (late Patrick) Henry, Padraig (June) Corcoran, Gerrard (Anne) Corcoran, Anne (Joe) Gilmartin, Thomas Corcoran, Claire (Eugene) Reynolds, Joseph (Chris) Corcoran, Catherine (Don) Brosnan and many nieces and nephews in Ireland. His parents Patrick Corcoran and Elizabeth Benson of County Sligo, Ireland precede him in death. Paul was born on April 28, 1945 in Kilnamonagh, Collooney, County Sligo, Ireland to the late Patrick Corcoran and Elizabeth Benson. He graduated from high school before moving to the United States at the age of 19 in 1964. Paul entered the United States Air Force in February 1965 and served as an avionic navigation system technician for eight years. He served one tour of duty in Da Nang, Vietnam with the 37th ARRS (Jolly Green Giants) and received an honorable discharge. Prior to that, Paul served at various air force bases in the United States. He continued his education at the University of Buffalo and was a licensed real estate agent. Paul continued his service for another fifteen years with the Army Reserve Unit, 365th medical hospital in Niagara Falls, NY. He also served in Desert Storm, Oman. He married Mary Elizabeth Toth in 1970 in Kenmore, NY and began working for Carbide Graphite, Niagara Falls, NY in 1974 until 2003 as an electrical supervisor. Paul and Mary relocated to California in 2013 to be closer to their family. Paul was a life member of the American Legion Post 1451, Wheatfield, NY where he served as Past Commander; life member Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7545, Tonawanda, NY; and life member of AMVETS North Tonawanda, NY Post 0026. Paul was also a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Tonawanda, NY Chapter 0077. He was a generous, and dedicated individual who loved his family, fishing and aviation. He was also a docent at the Camarillo Air Force Museum in Camarillo, CA. A mass of Christian burial is scheduled for 10 am, Thursday, September 29, 2016 at Padre Serra Parish, Camarillo, CA. Paul’s final resting place will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Kenmore, NY at a later date. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Paul’s life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Oakhurst Hospice Foundation at 910 Hampshire Road (Suite S) Westlake Village, CA 91361. The family would like to thank all of the hospice caregivers at Oakhurst Hospice for their loving care.