Walter Crawford Corish Jr.

1943 - 2025

Walter Crawford Corish, Jr. passed away Saturday morning after battling a lengthy illness. Walter was born February 16, 1943 to Walter Crawford Corish, Sr. and Helen Gilkey Corish in Savannah, GA. He attended Blessed Sacrament School ('57) and Benedictine Military School ('61). He, then, attended the University of Georgia, where he earned his BBA in Risk Management & Insurance in 1965 and his MBA in Business Management in 1967. In between completion of these degrees, he married his high school sweetheart, Patty Rockwell of Savannah. While working towards his Masters degree, he taught at UGA's Risk Management & Insurance school. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.

Following graduation, Walter attended the United States Air Force officer training school at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, and he was commissioned Second Lieutenant and assigned to the 117th Tactical Control Squadron, Georgia Air National Guard. During his 33-year career in the Guard, he served in many command positions, including Commander, 283rd Combat Communications Squadron, Savannah and ultimately as acting Adjutant General for the State of Georgia, commanding the 3,000 member of the Guard. In this role, he assumed leadership over two air wings and eight other Guard units, including the 165th Air Lift Wing in Savannah. From there in 1996, he was appointed commander, Georgia National Guard, where he lead the State of Georgia and was promoted to Brigadier General, until retiring in March 2000.

Walter was the President of Corish & Company, a fourth generation independent insurance agency in Savannah that has been in business since 1917. He was active in numerous church, civic, and fraternal organizations, including serving as a City Alderman on the Savannah City Council, by which he was selected by Mayor John P. Rousakis to fill Frank Rossiter, Sr.'s seat. He served as both an usher and a lector at St. James Catholic Church, where he was a faithful parishioner for 38 years. Upon moving to Tybee in 2006, he joined St. Michael's Catholic Church and continued enriching his strong faith and servant's heart. He was dedicated to his high school alma mater, holding a seat on Benedictine's Board of Trustees for many, many years. Benedictine honored him with their Gold Medal of Excellence, an award given to members of the school community who exhibit love, loyalty, and continued support to the school. He also received the distinguished honor of the Col. Stephen S. Koszewski Award for loyalty, service, and devotion. This is the greatest honor a Benedictine alumnus can receive.

Walter was passionate about the University of Georgia, a die-hard Bulldog who bled red and black. He served on the UGA Athletic Board of Trustees for many years, and he was a loyal supporter of Georgia athletics. Many a weekend in the Fall each year, you could find him (and Patty) at the Holiday Inn in Athens, Room 139 getting ready to cheer on the Dawgs. On a local level, he was Captain and then Sheriff for many years (following in his father's footsteps) at the Savannah Quarterback Club. Given his Irish roots, Walter played a significant role in the Hibernian Society for many years. He served as Chairman of both the Committee of Stewards and the Speakers Committee and was the 57th president of the Society in 2009. He was a proud participant in celebrating his Irish heritage in the St. Patrick's Day Parade, serving on the Parade Committee and walking nearly every year during his lifetime, alongside his father, then with children and grandchildren by his side, as one of the families that make up The Irish Imps.

Walter loved his family and friends with fervor. He was the greatest encourager and advice lender on a professional and personal level. He was an avid storyteller and always had a joke up his sleeve. He be missed dearly by all.

Walter is survived by his wife, Patricia Marie Rockwell Corish of 59 years, his son Trey Corish and daughter-in-law Mandy of Tampa, FL and his daughter Kathy Blackwell and son-in-law Robert of Macon, GA. He has six wonderful grandchildren, Maddux (Emily), Cullen, and Tyler Corish; Gracie, Isabel (Dexter Williams), and Graham Blackwell and one great grandchild, Delaney Williams; many sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews, cousins, and dear, loyal friends.

The visitation will be Thursday October 9, 2025 from 4:00-5:30 PM with the Rosary service following at 5:30 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, October 10, 2025 at 10:00 AM. Both services will be at St. James Catholic Church, 8412 Whitefield Ave, Savannah, GA. Burial with military honors will in Bonaventure Cemetery, 330 Bonaventure Rd, Savannah, GA 31404.

Pallbearers will be Maddux Corish, Cullen Corish, Tyler Corish, Richard Lutz, Jr., Robby Roberts, and Larry Sims. The Hibernian Society will be Honorary Pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Benedictine Military School (6502 Seawright Dr, Savannah, GA 31406; thebc400.com) or the University of Georgia Foundation (1 Press Place, Athens, GA. 30602; give.uga.edu).