Ronald George Corey Sr.

TORRNGTON - Ronald George Corey, Sr., 76, Torrington, died peacefully in his home on Aug. 5, 2011. He was surrounded by his family.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Jo, son Dr. Ronald Jr. and wife Melissa (Christian) Corey and their children Amanda and Alexa Corey, East Hanover, New Jersey and son Kevin Corey and wife Kathleen (Lowther) Corey and their children Kevin Jr. and Kaitlyn Corey, Framingham, Massachusetts, his sisters Stella and Freida Corey, Torrington, brothers Edward, Thomaston, Louis, Michael, Roger, Torrington, and Robert, (Winsted, and scores of nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is predeceased by his parents, Edward and Jennie Corey, Torrington and his sisters Bernice (Corey) Coon, Margaret Corey, Torrington and Jeanette (Corey) Tubbs, Texas.
Mr. Corey was a member of the Torrington Fire Department for 39 years. He joined the Fire Department in 1958 after two years in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany. He was promoted several times in the Torrington Fire Department and after rising to the rank of Captain, he became the Torrington Fire Marshal in 1983. He was a founder of the Torrington Municipal & Federal Credit Union, serving as an officer and Board member from 1961 until he retired. He was also President of the Torrington Firefighters Union. He organized the Litchfield County Fire Marshal Association (FMA), served as President of the Connecticut FMA, served on the Executive Board of the New England Association of Fire Marshals, and continued as Director Emeritus after he retired. He created the FireHawk Program, for children who start fires, and the Smoke Detector Program to provide smoke detectors to elderly and needy. He was co-chairman of the CT State Fire Prevention Poster Contest since 1984, working with the CT Board of Education, Office of the State Fire Marshal, the CT FMA, plus CT FAIR Plan, representing the insurance industry.
Ron spent his time with his large family and enjoyed traveling. He and his wife joined their friends on several cruises, tours of Europe and the U.S. He enjoyed his fishing trips with his son Kevin and even spent his 70th birthday in Rome with his son Ron. His grandchildren were his pride and joy and when he was at breakfast each morning at his favorite local restaurants, he would share the latest news with his brothers and sister. He touched so many people in the town and around the country.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 9, at St. Maron's Church, 613 Main St., Torrington for the Liturgy of the Divine Resurrection at 10 a.m. Friends are asked to meet directly at St. Maron's Church. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, in Collinsville, with full military honors. Relatives and friends may call on Monday, Aug. 8, from 4 p.m. to 8p.m. at Cook Funeral Home, 82 Litchfield St., Torrington.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Maron's Church Building Fund, 613 Main St., Torrington, Connecticut, 06790. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.cookfuneralhomect.com.