James Gerard Corcoran

December 28, 1945 - January 30, 2022

James Gerard Corcoran, 76, of Marietta, GA, returned to our heavenly Father on Sunday, January 30, 2022 after passing peacefully in his garden in the warm sunshine. Jim was born on December 28, 1945 to Joan R. Motylinski and James E. Corcoran in Detroit, MI, the fourth of five children. He was the adoring husband of Kathleen Keller Corcoran for 55 years and the rock for his children and grandchildren Brian Corcoran (wife Donna and grandchildren Kiley & Keegan), Christopher Corcoran (wife Jana and grandson Connor), Jeffrey Corcoran, and Andrea Cottos (husband Chris and grandsons Asher & Brooks). He is survived by his wife, four children, five grandchildren, his five grandpups, and countless ‘adopted’ sisters & brothers, children & grandchildren. “Jay” sadly leaves his older siblings Rita Wright, Mike Corcoran (and wife Judy), Colleen O’Meara (and husband Ed), and little sister Sean Bruce, as well as 20 nieces & nephews, and 25+ great nieces & nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers-in-law Bob Wright and Robert Bruce, and many dear friends and family. Growing up in Detroit, Jim spent countless days laughing and making memories with his siblings, family, and dear friends at the lake, riding bikes to the hardware store and soda shop, and playing sports. He was very proud of his days co-captaining his Visitation High School football team with his best friend Jerry, prior to graduating in 1963. Despite falling in love with Kathy in 1961, he enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves following high school. This relocated him to San Diego for a time prior to returning to marry his sweetheart in 1966. Life took the couple and their growing family to Richmond, VA; Lubbock, TX; Newry, PA; and finally settling in Marietta, GA in 1983 - meeting new friends and adding to his story along the way! Jim was a man of many talents with his unwavering work ethic and dedication for providing for his family leading to his employment at Scott Paper Co., International Harvesters, and Food World - to name a few. His true spirit however was conceptualized while embarking on his own entrepreneurial endeavors including JK & Sons, CA Promotions, and Triple J’s Catering. After realizing his love for cooking, entertaining, and giving tirelessly of himself, he most recently enjoyed the role of Banquet Manager at his second home, Transfiguration Catholic Church. Not only did Jim give whole heartedly at his jobs, his abundance of energy, zest for life, unwavering faith, and his inability to say “NO”, landed him seats on the Parish Counsel, member of the Men’s Club and Church Choir, Eucharistic Minister, CCD teacher/ youth mentor, Dinner Auction dinner host, high scorer on the Holy Rollers bowling team, St. Vincent DePaul volunteer, blood donor, and life of the party at Transfiguration. Those same attributes are what drove him to invite a 100 people over on a whim for a pool party, challenge you to a Horseshoe Tournament, compete with the youngbloods in softball, and yell out “Nertz” (or any number of winning phrases) at the game table! The past year gave Jim the chance to celebrate a World Series win for this favorite baseball team, the ATL Braves; a televised game between his two favorite college football teams Michigan and Georgia; and finally, a National Championship win for the Bulldogs! However, regardless of his love for watching the pros, there was no bigger fan on the sidelines than Jim when watching his grandchildren play lacrosse, baseball, tennis, soccer and basketball! He spent hours in his yard preparing to entertain or caring for the birds and his grand dogs – usually while wearing a blood donor t-shirt or his white ‘Leisure’ sweatshirt! Jim loved toasted PB&J sandwiches with Kathy on Sunday nights, snacking on windmill cookies and potato chips, corned beef and galumpkis, and a shot of Jameson with a Guinness to follow. While his life was blessed with numerous opportunities for work, ministry, and travel, his true passion in life came from the love he shared with his beautiful wife Kathy, the children and grandchildren whom he’d move heaven and earth to make happy, and the countless family members & friends who can’t tell a story about Jim without smiling ear to ear! He was beyond proud of his children and his grandchildren, as anyone can attest who has ever spoken with him or had seen his smile as he looked at his beloved family. Jim’s jovial nature, the twinkle in his eyes, the little leprechaun jig or the upbeat polka, the warmth of his hugs, the power of his singing, and the love that exuded from every fiber of his being can never be matched and will never be forgotten. Thank you for being part of his story! We invite you all to help celebrate Jim’s abundant life and help raise him into his eternal resting place in Heaven. There will be a visitation and prayer service at Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home on Sunday February 27, 2022 from 2:00 – 4:00pm. A funeral mass will be held at 3:00pm on Monday, February 28, 2022 at Transfiguration Catholic Church in Marietta, GA with a dinner reception to follow in the church hall from 4:00 – 8:00pm. A private interment with the immediate family will occur on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at Kennesaw Memorial Cemetery. A live stream of the Prayer Service at 3:30pm on Sunday 2/27/22 will be available at https://www.mayeswarddobbins.com/ and the funeral at 3:00pm on Monday 2/28/22 will be broadcasted on the Transfiguration website: https://transfiguration.com/media/live-mass-stream/ with both remaining accessible for at least 7 days following. A linked pdf. of the funeral program will also be available on the Mayes Ward-Dobbins website prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests your consideration of donating to either of the charitable organizations which Jim and Kathy devoutly supported over the years: St. Vincent DePaul of Georgia (Marietta, GA) https://www.svdpgeorgia.org/ St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital https://www.stjude.org/