Frank CORKERY

1922 - 2017

CORKERY, Frank

Frank (Francis) W. Corkery, passed away at his home in Rockwood Estates on August 11, 2017 surrounded by his family after a brief illness. Frank was born on October 16, 1922 in Spokane, WA to Thomas J. and Elizabeth (Bess) Corkery. Frank is survived by his children Paula Ford and her husband Norman and their children Alicia and Sean of Lewiston, Maine; Kevin Corkery and his children Melissa, Ryan and Melisa of Spokane; Dan Corkery and his wife Susan and their children Frank and Catherine of Ridgewood, New Jersey; and Pam Almquist and her children Chance, Cole, Caitlyn and Mikey of Spokane. He is also survived by seven great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews as well as his cousins Robin Corkery and Mary Bea Sleeth. Frank was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years Elizabeth (Bette) and his second wife Charlene who passed away in 2016. His brother Tom Corkery and sister Mary Any Brady also predeceased him. Frank attended St. Aloysius Grade School, Gonzaga Prep, and Gonzaga University. He served in the Army Air Corps from 1942-1944. He returned to Spokane after military service and married his long time girlfriend Bette Meeks, the daughter of Al and Mary Jane Meeks, in 1947 at St. Aloysius Church at a service conducted by his uncle Fr. Paul Corkery, S.J. They continued to live in the St. Al's parish until 1954 when the family moved to the South Hill of Spokane. Frank began his business career in insurance in 1950 and in 1954 he and his very good friend Bob Jones formed Corkery & Jones Insurance and Real Estate. This firm later became Corkery & Jones Insurance Inc. and over the years through the efforts of all the great people that came to work for the company it became one of the largest independent insurance agencies in Spokane until its merger with Maloney & O'Neill in 1995. Frank was a Legend Member of Manito Golf and Country Club where he maintained a membership for over fifty years and was a founding member of Our Lady of Fatima parish where he served on the church council for several years and was also a football coach. Frank and his good friends the Mulligan's could always be found on the course at Manito on Wednesday afternoons and in the lounge for the free hors d'oeuvres afterword. Frank and Bette spent may winters in Hawaii with their friends from Fatima parish prior to his retirement. After his retirement, Frank and Bette spent their winters in Arizona and California and their summers and fall in Spokane and Spirit Lake, Idaho. He and Charlene also wintered in Palm Springs, California. Frank served as the sole caregiver for many years for his wife Bette and later for Charlene during the time of their illnesses late in life. Frank and Bette bought a home on Spirit Lake in 1954 and spent many summers there near their parents, brothers and sisters as well as a number of life-long friends in Mud Bay. Frank, and his family, would also like to thank his two caregivers and good friends, Joy and Caryl for their loving and attentive care.
A rosary for Frank will be conducted at Hennessey Funeral Home, 2203 N. Division, on Tuesday, August 15th at 7pm and a funeral mass will be held at St. Aloysius Church, 330 E. Boone, on Wednesday, August 16th at 10:00 am.
A reception commemorating Frank's life will be held at Manito Country Club following the funeral at 2:00 pm. Please visit Frank's online memorial at www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com