Bertrand Francis Corcoran-Sunday's Obituary

Author: Brenda Leyndyke / Labels: , ,

Kirk's maternal grandfather, Bertrand 'Bert' Francis Corcoran, died of a heart attack on 21 July 1959 in Elk Rapids, Antrim, Michigan.  Bert and his wife, Leona, were in Elk Rapids visiting his daughter, Elizabeth 'Betty', and her husband Jim (Kirk's parents).  Jim was on a temporary assignment for Western Electric at the time.

Kirk remembers the days before his grandfather's death as fun.  His grandfather was a very generous person.  He would talk to his grandchildren and was fun to be with.  Whenever Grandpa Corcoran came to visit he would slap a silver dollar in his grandchildren's hands.  That week Grandpa Corcoran had taken Kirk and his brother and sisters to a dime store type store and the kids got to buy a toy.

The morning of Bert's death was a sunny, summer day.  Kirk, who was eight at the time, remembers the family eating hamburgers on the screened-in porch.  While Bert was eating he started having problems.  He went inside to lay down and an ambulance was called.  The kids were kept on the porch while the paramedics attended to Bert, so they wouldn't see anything.  But kids being kids, they peeked through a window.  Kirk remembers the paramedics plunging a hypodermic needle into his grandfather's chest before being told to get away from the window.  Bert died shortly afterwards at the age of 56.

Below is the obituary for Bertrand Francis Corcoran (7 Jan 1903-21 Jul 1959).  Bertrand was the son of Timothy Francis Corcoran and Helen (Schmitt) Corcoran.

Source:  The Grand Rapids Press, (Grand Rapids, Michigan), 22 July 1959, microfilm owned by Grand Rapids Public Library, Grand Rapids, Michigan.


(Transcription)

B.F. Corcoran, Salesman, Dies
Bertrand F. Corcoran, 56, of 2601 Frederick dr. SE. real estate salesman for Battjes Real Estate Co. and member of St. Thomas' church, died unexpectedly from a heart attack Tuesday in Elk Rapids while he was vacationing.

Mr Corcoran was born in Cook county, Ill., but lived in Grand Rapids most of his life. He was a member of the Holy Name society of St. Thomas' church and the Elks, and was a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

Surviving are his wife, Leona; two sons, Richard of Grand Rapids and John D. of College Point, N.Y.; three daughters, Mrs. James M. Lenendyke and Mrs. Chester Sypren of Grand Rapids and Mrs. Jack L. Nelson of Traverse City; a brother Howard of Grand Rapids, and 15 grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in St. Thomas' church. Burial will be in Woodlawn cemetery.

The body is at O'Brien's Colonial funeral home.



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