Tributes

John Franklin Corcoran (August 20, 1940 - May 23, 2019) had a huge heart that grew bigger when he met his wife of 53 years, Penny Moore Corcoran, and after the birth of each of their 5 children: Kelly Grimsley, Kathy Clark, Erin Hazlett, Megan Harrell and Tommy Corcoran; and the birth of each of his 8 grandchildren whom he affectionately referred to as “Pap-Paw’s People”: Drew, Kelly, Grady, Catherine, Finnigan, Emma, Annie and Charlie. John welcomed each of his sons- and daughter-in-law: Bill Grimsley, Dan Clark, David Hazlett, Ben Harrell and Amy Corcoran, with the same joy as he did his own children. He was a loyal and loving family man. John was a generous, heartfelt and faithful person who was beloved by his many friends. He called everyone by name and was comfortable in both quiet and gregarious situations with those he loved. Throughout his life he enjoyed spending time with friends and family on the golf course, fishing, and playing pool and cards. He was also a loyal philanthropist and in retirement enjoyed walking his rescue dogs along Pawleys Island beach, where he and Penny retired. John began working at Southern Railway in 1962 as a management trainee, ascending through the company in several management positions and then retiring as Senior Vice President of Public Affairs of Norfolk Southern in 2005. He graduated from University of Tennessee in 1963 with a degree in Transportation and as a member of Sigma Chi. John was born and raised in Knoxville, TN. He lived in Columbus, Atlanta, and Rome, GA; moved to Vienna, VA; and retired in Pawleys Island, SC. John died peacefully with a small group of his immediate family by his side. He is survived by his brother, Virgil Corcoran; sister-in-law, Paulette Corcoran; nieces and nephews, Sherry Witt, Missy Corcoran, Corky Corcoran, DJ Corcoran, Danielle Siebert, and Penny Corradini; as well as a host of other loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kelly Grimsley; brother, Jim Corcoran; sister-in-law, Sue Corcoran; and parents, John Ed and Esther Corcoran. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Glioblastoma Foundation in remembrance of John’s daughter, Kelly Grimsley. Information on how to donate can be found at https://glioblastomafoundation.org Services will be held at Truro Church in Fairfax, VA on Friday, June 7th at 10 am. Graveside interment will be held immediately following the service at Flint Hill Cemetery in Oakton, VA.