Horace Wilkinson Corbin

1929 - 2017

Horace Wilkinson Corbin

Age: 87 • South Hero

1929-2017

Horace Wilkinson Corbin, 87, of South Hero, Vermont, known as Corbie to his friends and Corbito by his family, died January 23, 2017 at home under the wonderful care of his family and friends.

Corbie was born December 20, 1929 in San Antonio, Texas. During his youth he traveled and lived in several places until he settled at his father's home in South Hero. Here on the shores of Lake Champlain, he made his home with the love of his life, Sylvia Wright Corbin, and raised his family.

He graduated from Howe Military School in Indiana, and then continued his studies at the University of Michigan. He served in the Army during the Korean War. He then started Thermal Wire of America, Inc., employing several hundred Islanders. In 1970, Thermal Wire burned and he with others started Phoenix Wire, Inc., where some of his family is still employed. Corbie will be forever grateful to his business partner and friend, Tom Parizo, for working with him through all the good times and the bad.

He was a strong believer in giving back when possible. He served 16 years on the South Hero School Board, working passionately to create a community library. Later in his life, his church became very important to him and he spent 15 years as Treasurer of the Congregational Church of South Hero. Throughout his life he had a unique way of making everyone feel as though they were very special.

Special thanks goes to drivers at CIDER, Inc., his Angel, Mary and the whole crew at the Dialysis Unit at Joy Drive, South Burlington, and the many friends who just made him smile. But the largest thank you goes to daughter Val and granddaughter Hannah for allowing him to stay home and have the best care possible.

He leaves Sylvia, his wife of 62 years, their son Bret Corbin, daughter Sherry Corbin with her partner Cathy Webster, daughter Valerie Corbin with her partner Jim Thacker, his granddaughter Hannah Corbin, grandson Max Corbin, and his great-grandson Arlen Corbin. He is also survived by his sister, Lorraine C. Hislop and nieces and nephews Rex Norton, Roxie Mulhall, Rita Norton, Dawn Stewart, Glen Stewart, and cousins, Ohmer and Pat Corbin. He is predeceased by his father, Horace W. Corbin and mother Ruth Crowe Corbin.

A service will be held at the South Hero Congregational Church, 24 South Street on January 28, 2017 at 1:30 p.m., Corbin & Palmer is in charge of arrangements. Honorary donations can be made to CIDER, Inc., P.O. Box 13, South Hero, VT 06586.

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