Kenneth E. Corcoran (Kenny), 86 of Oshkosh, WI passed away peacefully Saturday, January 9th at his home, surrounded by his family, after a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in December.
Ken was born on October 10, 1934 to Joseph and Matilda Corcoran in Madison Wisconsin. He attended St. Raphael Grade School and graduated from Edgewood High School in 1952. During his high school career Ken occupied his time playing football, basketball, and baseball. After high school Ken was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates and played for the Billings Mustangs of Montana. As Kenny said, “I stayed long enough for a cup of coffee and it was really cold there!” So he returned to Madison and married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Strenger in 1954.
In 1967, Ken accepted a position with Klein Dickert Company and relocated his family to Oshkosh. He packed his wife, Barbara and five young children into his station wagon, with the kids and Barb crying all the way to Oshkosh. Ken and additional partners purchased the Klein Dickert location in Oshkosh, which eventually became Omni Glass & Paint where he worked for 30 years until his retirement in 1997. His retirement didn’t last long, however, as Ken and his sons started their family business, Corcoran Glass & Paint. He enjoyed working closely with his family and friends until the age of 85.
Ken loved the Oshkosh community and took every opportunity to teach his children the gift of giving back. He was involved in Lakeshore Kiwanis, MMC, and the YMCA where he met many lifelong friends. He served as both the Lieutenant and District Governor of Kiwanis and was the President of the YMCA Board of Directors for several years. He continued his love and support of the YMCA throughout his years.
Ken lived life with joy and laughter and always made everyone feel like family. He loved hosting his children, grandchildren, neighbors, and friends. There were Sunday Fundays at his pool and Packer and Badger parties with always enough Diet Pepsi and Corcoran Cheese Dip to go around!
Ken’s passion was sports! He loved watching his kids and grandkids play, as well as many others, you know who you are, and we thank you all for adding years to his life! He enjoyed following various high school basketball and softball teams and was even awarded “Fan of the Year” by the Oshkosh North Girls Softball Team. Ken also loved traveling to Badger Basketball games with his buddies John Maschke, Tom Zak and brother-in- law Skip Strenger.
Continuing his legacy are his five children, Karen (Jeffrey) Jacobson of Oshkosh, Jeffrey (Janell) Corcoran of Appleton, Robert (Judy) Corcoran of Pewaukee, Julie (Michael O’Neill) Pollnow of Oshkosh, and Jay Corcoran of New London. Fifteen grandchildren (all of whom were his favorite) include Kelly (DJ) Hinz, Kenlin (Nate) Grams, Casee (Ryan) Hawkins, Cam Corcoran, Lauren (Dany Zapata), Ben (Jessica Guzman), Maddie (Sam Howard), Jake Ganther, Brett (Carly) Corcoran, Kayla Corcoran (Lucas Liegel), Brennan (Gabbie Pung) Pollnow, Griffin (Siri Smits) Pollnow and Fynn, Riley, & Cullen Corcoran. Eleven great-grandchildren include Oliva Hinz, Parker & Addison Grams, Brady Corcoran, Brynn & Braylee Spata, Porter & Barrett Meach, Sam, Ella, & Jack Hawkins. Ken will always hold a special place in the hearts of his brother and sister-in-law Joseph (Skip) and Sue Strenger, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He is surrounded by those who have gone before him, including the love of his life Barbara Corcoran, his parents Joseph & Matilda Corcoran, in-laws Robert & Emma Strenger, brothers and sister-in-laws Grant & Addie Corcoran and Dean & Patty Corcoran, sisters and brother-in-laws Verna & James Taylor and Donna Jean & Dale Crotty, niece Connie Corcoran, nephew David Crotty, and grandson Brett Meach.
The family wishes to thank Jenny from Ascension Hospice, Matt Sommerfeldt and the Oshkosh Fire Department, and the many friends and family who have reached out during the past month.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 16th, 2021 at 12:00pm at St. Raphael Catholic Church, 830 S. Westhaven Drive, with Fr. Tom Long and Fr. Daniel Felton officiating. A time of visitation will take place on Saturday before the service from 10:30am-12:00pm at the church. Ken’s family asks that memorial tributes be made to the Corcoran Family Community Fund, established in 2005, at the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation, 230 Ohio Street, Suite 100 Oshkosh, WI 54902, which supports children and community projects.
Dad, Grandpa, Papa, Big Pa – Thank you for always being our biggest fan and the creator of “the team!” We love you and will miss you!
