L. Michael "Mike" Corcoran

Laurence Michael "Mike" Corcoran, Jr. passed peacefully on December 16, 2012 in Austin, Texas, from natural causes after living a very rich and full life. Born in Washington, D.C. on January 27, 1932, Mike spent many of his formative years in Ho Ho Kus, New Jersey. He studied Business Administration and was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, earning his Bachelor's degree in 1955. He then attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and earned his Master's in Business Administration.
Mike joined Continental Oil Company in Houston, Texas, following completion of his studies and married Mary Sharon Gillen in 1960. Shortly thereafter, the company transferred the young couple to London, England, so Mike could assist in building retail distribution networks of American petroleum in Western Europe. Mike left the oil business in 1968 to help his father run the family furniture manufacturing business, Marlau in Madrid, Spain. Together he and Sharon had four children, all born in Europe. He and his family lived and loved the expat life in London, Munich and Madrid until 1975, when the family returned to Houston. Mike worked the remaining years of his long career in the Oil and Gas Business as a talent scout, or as he would say, "a headhunter."
He counted many lifelong friends from bonds developed in early childhood, his fraternity brothers, and Marines stationed at the Embassy in Madrid during the 1950s. The regular re-telling of far away stories and antics from his youth are part of the family lore. His love of Spain and the annual running of the bulls in Pamplona are part of the fabric of his life, and his favorite vacations were the many spent on South Padre Island beaches with his children. It must also be noted that he made a mean spaghetti!
Mike is preceded in death by his parents, Laurence Michael Corcoran, Sr. and Margaret Eacho Corcoran. His love of life and family will be deeply missed by his three daughters: Erin Elizabeth and husband, Richard S. Abraham, Mary-Paige and husband, Antonio Silvestre, Courtney Lee and husband, Atle Fyhn; and his son: Laurence Michael Corcoran, III, and wife Brenda; grandchildren Marlena and Katherine Abraham, Maxwell Muehlegger, Hans Fyhn, Lauren and Maegan Corcoran; and his sister, Peggy Lee Bourbon.
He loved the holiday season and his absence pains us, but we take comfort in knowing that he really will be 'Home for Christmas.' Rest in peace, Dad.