Robert M. Corkery

Dover-Robert Michael Corkery, 85 passed away on July 7, 2023, at the Wentworth Home after a period of failing health. He was born June 8, 1938, in Portsmouth, NH. Predeceased by his parents Patrick and Alberta (Piper) Corkery; brother Brian Corkery.
He is survived by his son Vance M. Corkery; niece, Therese SanSoucie and her husband Paul; grandniece, Cayla Gordon; grandsons, Nicolas & Alexander Corkery, Sister-in-law, Mary Corkery.
Robert went into the U.S. Airforce after graduating with an associate degree in Zoology from the University of New Hampshire. That degree was used in the Airforce and helped him land a tour at Nasa in 1961. He was one of the trainers of "Enos", the first chimpanzee to go up in space.
After his tour finished with the Airforce, he went on to Flight School to become a Pilot. That brought him to work for Eastern Airlines, flying out of Boston until he retired.
While working for Eastern Airlines, he also decided to open a pet store with his brother, Brian, in Portsmouth, NH in the early 70's. It was called the Pet Emporium & was located on Islington St. It was the only pet store in town that had a pet monkey whose name was "Zipper" and an electric eel named "Sparky".
After he retired, he took up photography and videography with loons being his favorite subject to film. He also built a beautiful log cabin on Lake Ossipee in NH.
Eventually he wanted to travel again so he set off to Hawaii, Belize, and landed in Florida up until November 2020 at which point, he came Back to Dover, NH, to live with his brother Brian and sister-in-law Mary. Brian cared for him until he passed away in May of 2022. His niece, Therese, became his guardian and helped care for him for the remainder of his years.
At his request, a private celebration of life and ocean ash scattering ceremony will be held at a later date.