WILMINGTON — James Michael (Mickey) Corcoran, 69, died Oct. 8, 2016.
He was born Dec. 21, 1946, in Portsmouth, Virginia, to the late Julie Awtry and Joseph Patrick Corcoran. After spending his early years in Portsmouth, Mr. Corcoran and his family moved to Wilmington, North Carolina, in 1962.
While in Wilmington, he graduated from New Hanover High School before attending the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, where he graduated from in 1970. During his time at UNCW Mickey was a member of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity; it should come as no surprise that he was elected Social Chairman during his fraternity years. The move to Wilmington was pivotal in Mr. Corcoran’s life in another area; it was there that he met Janet Patton Grainger, whom he wed in 1971.
His career with Anheuser Busch began in Greenville, North Carolina, in 1972, which led him to New Bern in 1980, where he became the owner of Woodruff Distributing Company, later named Atlantic Beverage Company. Before selling the business in 2008, Mr. Corcoran was an industry leader, not only meeting company standards for excellence, but often exceeding them.
Service to others was very important to him. He gave back to the community by serving on various boards, including the YMCA, Trinity Center and the Chamber of Commerce. He always gave freely of his time and talents and, in 1987, he was awarded the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service. He was also honored by UNCW as a Distinguished Alumni for his service to the University as well as serving on the Board of Trustees.
An outdoorsman at heart he enjoyed hunting, but his true love was fishing. He shared this love with many family and friends aboard his boat Figment.
He is survived by his wife, Janet Grainger Corcoran; his three daughters; Nancy Corcoran Thuringer (Jason) of Newport, Mary Duffy Corcoran-Keeter of Greenville, and Alice Corcoran Culpepper of Wilmington; and his three grandchildren, Zack Thuringer, Thomas Keeter, and Izzie Culpepper. He is also survived by his brother Jeff Comer (Jan); and his three sisters, Lynda Walker (Chucky), Mary Corcoran, and Patricia Smith (Lou); sister-in-law Jean Grainger; as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
A visitation will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2016, from 5-7 p.m. at 313 Village Green Dr. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, Oct. 13 at 11 a.m. at Christ Episcopal Church in New Bern, N.C. Burial will be held on Friday, Oct. 14 at 11 a.m. at Oakdale Cemetery in Wilmington, N.C.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Take A Kid Fishing.org, The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration.org or The Janet and Mickey Corcoran Athletic Scholarship at UNCW