Dr. James L. CORTHOUTS Sr.

CORTHOUTS, Dr. James L., Sr. Dr. James Leopold Corthouts, Sr. passed away peacefully on December 12, 2010, surrounded by his loving family. One month previously he reached his goal of living for 100 years. Doc was born on November 6, 1910 in Washington D.C. to Flemish parents, Marie Claussen Corthouts and Francois Pierre Corthouts. His family moved to Hartford in 1916 where he attended West Middle School and Hartford Public High School, graduating in 1928. He attended the Southern Missionary College in Tennessee and University of Maryland Dental School, graduating in 1936. He opened an office in Hartford and filled the dental needs of thousands of patients for the next 61 years, practicing until he was 87 years old. In 1935 he married the love of his life Viola ("Hokie") Jones of New Bern, North Carolina. She predeceased him in December, 2000. He is survived by his eight children: Levette Perkins, Joan McCormick, Beth Ann Iacampo, Carol Costello, Mary Corthouts Brookmyer, Denise Toolan, Sandra Petruccelli and James L. Corthouts, Jr. Also surviving are 17 wonderful grandchildren: Clinton Downey, Jonathan Downey, Jennifer Grayson Hayes, Charles C. Grayson, Andrew Grayson, Beth Iacampo, Wendy Mizen, Virginia Cully, Michael Iacampo, Christopher Iacampo, Tracy Lowry, Allison Bernhardt, John Costello, Benjamin Rory Brookmyer, Megan Petruccelli, James L. Corthouts, III, Travis Corthouts and 22 great grandchildren all of whom are proud to be descended from their rolemodel, Pop Pop. Anyone that knew James appreciated his incredible work ethic. At the age of 4 he started his stage career as the little Dutch Boy in the Mary Pickford classic, "Hulda from Holland." While at Dental School, he performed with the Metropolitan Opera Company during their annual trip to the Lyric Theater in Baltimore. He was a spear carrier in "Aida", a butler in "La Traviata", and a peasant in "Carmen". He was proud to tell you that he was paid $2 per performance. In order to send himself to college and dental school, he delivered bakery products for Newton Robinson Bakeries, he delivered ice along the shoreline and he worked in the labs and farms at school. James had unlimited energy and a significant entrepreneurial bent which led him into a number of memorable investments. At one time or another, his investments included, as owner and/or founder, Melodymaster, Restonic Mattresses, CSW Plastics, Wellington Tool, Church Corners Inn, Ryan's Restaurant, New England School of Accounting, Salter School, Spinnaker Inc, Hughes Convalescent Home and, his pride and joy, Oxford Academy in Westbrook, Connecticut. Even with a large family, a dental practice and all his outside business ventures he was involved in the City of Hartford. He was a campaign manager in elections for Probate Court and he ran for the City of Hartford Board of Education. James was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and was honored as a Grand Knight of the Hartford Council. At the time of his death he was the oldest long time member of the Connecticut Governor's Foot Guard and held the rank of Captain. For many years he was a member of the Rotary Club of Hartford, the Hartford Golf Club, the Avon Country Club, Wethersfield Country Club and the Mariner Sands Golf and Country Club. There is so much that can be said about this amazing and wonderful person. There is no one that has ever asked for help from him where he did not respond. He was a tireless fundraiser for various charities including The Mansfield Training School and Hospital where he raised funds and was hands on in building a swimming pool for the children. The Doc's work ethic continues through his children and grandchildren, all who worked beside him during their formative years. They all have such respect for his boundless energy, optimism, kindness, enthusiasm and Joie de Vivre. There is no way to say how much he will be missed. The only solace is knowing that he lived a wonderful life and that he is now dancing with Hokie in Heaven. The funeral services will be held on Thursday, (December 16, 2010) at St. Timothy's Church on North Main Street, West Hartford at 11 a.m followed by burial at Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery on Blue Hills Avenue, Hartford. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made either to A Place To Be , a registered non-profit corporation for autistic children at 15 South Madison St, PO Box 834, Middleburg, Va 20118 or Oxford Academy at 1393 Boston Post Road, Westbrook, Ct 06498. Arrangements are being handled by The Ahern Funeral Homes, Inc.