James Joseph Corr

JAMES JOSEPH CORR Mt. Laurel, NJ James Joseph Corr, born April 22, 1927, age 82, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family and dedicated health care aide, Niki, on Thursday, February 18, 2010. Born and raised in New York City the oldest child of Irish immigrants, Jim attended Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx. After serving in the military in WWII, he graduated from Manhattan College as an electrical engineer. Jim began his successful career in Aerospace Engineering as a parts delivery boy for a TV repair shop in Manhattan. His pioneering career in electronics paralleled the advancement in television and imaging technology. Jim worked at RCA-GE for over four decades. In the 1960's he was one of the project managers on the successful Ranger Space Missions 7, 8 and 9 to the moon. These spacecraft took the first close up pictures of the lunar surface. The success of the Ranger projects led to the eventual landing of a man on the moon during the Apollo Space Missions. Jim, a man of integrity, received top secret clearance and helped design and launch the first surveillance and weather satellites, such as TIROS, for the US government. For his contributions to the space program from 1965 through 1975, he was awarded "The Pioneer in Space Award" by the US Air Force. Jim was a true patriot and enlisted in the Army-Air Force the day after his 18th birthday. In a characteristic display of his commitment, ingenuity and humor, Jimmy being "thin as a rail" ate 10 pounds of bananas in order to secure his acceptance into the US Military. As the war wound down, Jim served as a Sergeant in the US occupation troops administering the prisoner of war camps in Southern France. In his boyhood, Jim found much joy and pleasure roaming the river banks of the Harlem, East and Hudson Rivers, in search of a good fishing perch. Surf fishing at Barnegat Light on Long Beach Island, NJ, became one of his passions. His love of the lighthouse and the island was passed on to all of his children and grandchildren. Jim loved to be outdoors, and this was evident in all of his pastimes. He was a constant gardener and grew the most delicious and juicy Jersey tomatoes and the crispest bulging spring red radishes. He planted scores of trees at each of his homes. The height that these trees have grown over the years reflects the height and depth of his values and continuous personal growth. Yearly, he tramped through the snows of the Pine Barrens, hunting for deer. The deer sometimes eluded him, but he always found peace, tranquility and restoration in nature. He loved the Pine Barrens, as do his children. For many years each summer, he took his sons on extended camping trips thoughout the US and Canada. Jim loved and respected the Earth. It was fitting that the day of his birth, April 22, and the birthday of his first child and daughter was designated Earth Day. Dad played a good hand of poker and got together monthly with the guys. He also was an avid bridge player and played weekly with his wife and their friends. Jim's workbench was loaded with TV tubes, soldering irons, circuit boards, vises and testing gear; it was a place of technical marvel! Dad was known throughout the community as the "go to fix it man." There was always a TV, washing machine or car under Dad's care. Jim was a well-read history buff and enjoyed sharing his wealth of historic knowledge. He was particularly proud of his Irish ancestry and the traditions of fighting and working toward independence and democracy that were dominant in his family heritage. He was devoted to the Catholic Church and his religious beliefs. James was married to Jacqueline Perry Corr for 46 years. He was a loyal husband and dedicated provider for his family of nine children. With his wry sense of humor, fighting spirit, will and determination, Jim turned most obstacles into opportunities for applying ingenuity, learning new things and developing compassion and kindness. Although in his last years he struggled with several physical disabilities, he managed these challenges with admirable calm and grace. We all want you to recognize and cherish your own happiness in memory of our kind-hearted and fearless father, Jim. Dad leaves two sisters, Maureen Corr and Kathleen Carr; nine children and their families: Kathleen Kavarra Corr, Springdale, Utah; Thomas L. and Carol M. Corr, Vero Beach, Fla.; Jacqueline P. Corr Brantley and Russell Brantley, Orlando, Fla.; James P. and Cathy B. Corr, Mt. Laurel, NJ; Joseph P. and Denise E. Corr, Vero Beach, Fla.; Francis O. and Maureen Corr, Stuart, Fla.; Charles B. and Kelli A. Corr, Encino, Cal.; Matthew J. and Deborah L. Corr, Mt. Laurel, NJ, Brendan D. and Kimberly K. Corr, Mt. Laurel, NJ, and 15 grandchildren and their spouses, The Golden Hearts, Tom, Katie and Tyler Guettler, Michelle, Tim and Dana Corr, Jacquelyn, Andrew, Ben, Jimmy, Kiersten, Kevin, Russell, Zachary, Brendan, Justina and Kaylee. We are forever grateful to the loving care the following people gave to our father: Niki Gardner, Mariama, Tiffany, Debbie Dryzick, Nickelle, Patience, Lovia, Josey, Rosa, Mercedes, Serrita, Sophia, Brenda, Lily, Brigite, Baby, Linda, Florette, Agi, Hannah 1, Hannah 2 and the many others who cared for our dad. Viewing Thursday, February 25, 2010 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. and Friday, February 26, 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. at THE BRADLEY FUNERAL HOME, 601 Rte 73 Marlton, NJ. Mass of the Christian Burial, Friday, 11:30 a.m., at St. John Neumann Church, Mt. Laurel, NJ. Interment Ft. Pierce, Fla. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or Parkinson's Research in honor of James J. Corr.